LONDON // Didier Drogba made an immediate impact on his return to the Chelsea starting line-up as he scored his first league goal of the season after just three minutes to boost his side's title hopes.
The Ivory Coast forward, left on the bench for the last six matches despite recovering from a knee injury, finally persuaded manager Luiz Felipe Scolari to accommodate an extra striker and he wasted no time in making his point.
Drogba, playing alongside top scorer Nicolas Anelka for the first time this season, headed home a Joe Cole cross early on to set the tone for a crucial victory at Stamford Bridge against basement side West Brom.
Frank Lampard made it two on the stroke of half-time, lifting the ball past the goalkeeper Scott Carson after Joe Cole's pass and Ashley Cole's run caused havoc in the West Brom defence, and the performance, although uninspiring at times, could prove a major one in Chelsea's season as they won for the first time in four games.
Drogba could so easily have added to Chelsea's tally, not least when he was denied by Carson in the 65th minute, and his all-round performance before being substituted suggested he is now back.
The striker, who has scotched rumours that he may move to Inter Milan in the transfer window, could now prove very valuable to Chelsea if he can forge a partnership with Anelka.
The fact that Scolari waited so long to find a way to include him alongside the Frenchman is astonishing. But having finally seen the light and adjusted his tactics you suspect Chelsea's title challenge is now well and truly back on track.
sports@thenational.ae
COMPANY PROFILE
Company: Eco Way
Started: December 2023
Founder: Ivan Kroshnyi
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Electric vehicles
Investors: Bootstrapped with undisclosed funding. Looking to raise funds from outside
Dubai Creek Open in numbers
- The Dubai Creek Open is the 10th tournament on this year's Mena Tour
- It is the first of five events before the season-concluding Mena Tour Championship
- This week's field comprises 120 players, 21 of which are amateurs
- 15 previous Mena Tour winners are competing at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club
Where to submit a sample
Volunteers of all ages can submit DNA samples at centres across Abu Dhabi, including: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre+(Adnec), Biogenix Labs in Masdar City, NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City, NMC Royal Medical Centre, Abu Dhabi, NMC Royal Women's Hospital, Bareen International Hospital, Al Towayya in Al Ain, NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50
Kill
Director: Nikhil Nagesh Bhat
Starring: Lakshya, Tanya Maniktala, Ashish Vidyarthi, Harsh Chhaya, Raghav Juyal
Rating: 4.5/5