The Hindu : Sport / Football : Chelsea gains berth to Champions League

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 10, 2004

Sport

Sport - Football

Chelsea gains berth to Champions League

LONDON, MAY 9. Chelsea clinched the all-important second place on Saturday in the Premier League, drawing 1-1 at Old Trafford to gain a berth in the regular phase of the Champions League.

Jesper Gronkjaer scored in the 19th — a perfectly placed 18-yard (metre) strike — to give Chelsea a 1-0 lead.

With Chelsea down to 10 men, Ruud van Nistelrooy equalised in the 77th, scoring after Chelsea 'keeper Carlo Cudicini fumbled a long kick with the Dutchman standing alongside to knock it home.

The draw gave Chelsea 76 points and Manchester United 72 — one game remains — and means the Blues join champion Arsenal as the automatic qualifier. Manchester United will finish third and must go through summer qualifying to reach the regular phase.

Manchester United's Van Nistelrooy was stopped on a penalty late in the first half. In the second, Chelsea played with 10 men after Robert Huth was sent off on his second yellow card in the 73rd.

Chelsea's Italian manager Claudio Ranieri is reported on the way out, but he said after the match he thought he might be invited back next season. The second-place finish was his best as a manager in any league.

``Slowly, slowly I'm getting better,'' he said, a large smile beaming.

Porto manager Jose Mourinho is widely reported in line to succeed Ranieri. Asked if he would return, Ranieri said he wouldn't `bet about it' but sounded optimistic. ``I believe I can stay here,'' he said.

``I think so. I think it's open. I feel it's not finished yet. Yes. I don't close my door.''

Ranieri is popular with his players. Defender John Terry said he'd like him to return. ``Nobody knows what happening,'' Terry said. ``We did the manager proud this season. We're all pleased and we're all behind him. I'd love him to stay. I've said all along I want him to stay.''

In other results on Saturday: Everton 1, Bolton 2; Leeds 3, Charlton 3; Leicester 3, Portsmouth 1; Middlesbrough 2, Manchester City 1; Southampton 1, Aston Villa 1, Tottenham 1, Blackburn 0; Birmingham 0, Liverpool 3.

Liverpool took an edge on Villa and Newcastle in the battle for fourth, winning 3-0 at Birmingham on goals by Michael Owen (29th), Emile Heskey (51st) and Steven Gerrard (86th).

The three relegation spots are determined with Leeds, Leicester and Wolves going down. Wolves have 32 points with Leeds and Leicester on 33. Man City has 38 and escaped relegation.

Manchester United is wrapping up its worst season in a decade. The side's only trophy hope is May 22 in the FA Cup final in Cardiff, Wales. The Reds are overwhelming favourites against first-division side Millwall.

Manchester United has been overshadowed this season by Arsenal and Chelsea.

Arsenal is undefeated in 36 league games and will try to make it 37 at Fulham. The Gunners have won 24 and drawn 12 in their bid to become the first top-flight club to complete an unbeaten season since Preston North End in 1888-89. The Gunners' final game is at home to Leicester on May 15.

Arsenal leads with 84 followed by: Chelsea (76), Man United (72), Liverpool (59), Villa (56), Newcastle (53) and Bolton (53).

Claiming second place makes up partially for Chelsea's ouster on Wednesday from the Champions League semifinals by French league side Monaco. After eliminating Arsenal in the quarterfinals, Chelsea was the favourite to reach the Champions League final May 26 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.

Instead, it will be Monaco vs. Porto.

Gronkjaer gave Chelsea a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute. Moving just inside the 18-yard (metre) line on the left side, Gronkjaer struck a rising shot that got in over 'keeper Tim Howard diving to his left. It was his first league goal of the season.

United had several chances to tie the match in the first half. The best came on a penalty late in the half when Cudicini guessed right, dived to his right, and stopped Van Nistelrooy's penalty attempt.

Van Nistelrooy made up for it and got the equaliser, his first Premier League goal in almost three months.

Mikael Silvestre sent in a long, arching shot. Cudicini came out to catch the ball, but it slipped through his hands. Van Nistelrooy was in behind him to poke it home. — AP

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