Chelsea go top

13 April 2012

Chelsea may look down on the rest of the Premiership this morning but the real test of their credentials will come in the next seven days.

Claudio Ranieri is often guilty of hiding behind platitudes and bizarre metaphors, using child-like humour to avoid an honest assessment of his side's ability, but last night's message was spot on - the league table is of little relevance in October.

Chelsea travel to Arsenal on Saturday and entertain Lazio in the Champions League next Wednesday, titanic games that will give at least some indication of whether Ranieri's players are potential champions or hopeful contenders. Roaring lions or wimpish pups.

While most manager's can only see as far as their next game, Ranieri clearly had one eye on Highbury before last night's goalless draw at St Andrews against Birmingham. Of Chelsea's myriad internationals who played starring roles all over the world last weekend, only John Terry was asked to repeat his heroics and he would have been rested if Marcel Desailly had shaken off a back injury. Despite constant speculation to the contrary, Ranieri is confident he is in place for the long haul and is already planning ahead.

He said: "The table is not important now and it's too soon to talk about that. What happens in training is more important than looking at the table. We just have to keep working and improving our performances.

"I was pleased with the performance against Birmingham. It was very difficult for us as they played very deep. It's important to play well against Arsenal and put in another good performance."

While Ranieri's pleasure was no doubt genuine, there was a sense of disappointment in his players. Such has been the elevation in standards and expectation at Stamford Bridge that they genuinely expect to win every game, and the satisfaction of returning to the top of the table was dimmed by the feeling that two points had been dropped.

Terry said: "We were the better team and I can't remember them havinga shot in the second half, so it's disappointing. We didn't play too well in the first half but played our football in the second half."

Chelsea did finish strongly, with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Frank Lampard going close in the second half as goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini became a virtual bystander, but an away win would have been harsh on Birmingham.

Steve Bruce has fashioned a hardworking side in his own image and they dominated the first half, with Cudicini making saves from Stan Lazaridis and the classy Christophe Dugarry, as Ranieri's appointed X1 struggled to find any rhythm. The Italian restricted himself to just three changes from the team that beat Middlesbrough last week, instead preferring to tinker with his side's shape by using a diamond formation in midfield for the first time this season.

Joe Cole was given the opportunity to show he has diamonds on the soles of his shoes, playing at the front of a midfield four on his first start for the club, but it initially appeared as if his boots were lined with lead. The 21-year-old struggled to make any impact alongside a strangely subdued Lampard, as Stephen Clemence asserted himself in midfield.

Cole improved in the second half until cramp forced his withdrawal after 66 minutes, but Chelsea were at their best after he had been replaced by Damien Duff.

In another example of Ranieri's tactical perversity, the Republic of Ireland winger was instructed to take Cole's place in central midfield, but he found himself sliding towards his preferred position on the left flank. Duff 's introduction at least managed to spring Lampard into life and Birmingham were hanging on by the end.

Bruce said: "We're delighted to get a draw. We're all talking about Chelsea and getting very excited. Whatever 11 they put out will be a good side with some excellent individuals. One things for sure, they'll be there or thereabouts at the end of the season."

The early signs are certainly promising, but only time will tell.

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