Own goal spares Blues' blushes

Last updated : 01 August 2009 By Paul Lagan

Chelsea suffered the embarrassment of drawing 2-2 against Championship outfit Reading this afternoon.
It could have been humiliating - already 2-0 by half-time, Chelsea salvaged some pride with two, last-gasp goals, the second, an own goal with the last kick of the game.
Carlo Ancelotti, Chelsea's new manager, appeared calm in the post-match press conference, he cited tiredness following a training session and some excellent tactical defensive play by his opponents as to the reasons for the poor result.
But he must be bewildered by his team. This was no makeshift outfit. This was multimillion-pound talent in every single position - including the bench.
A few supporters said that it was only a run-out and the result - meaningless.
That is correct, but the manner of the shocking first-half display must pose serious doubts on Ancelotti's ability to turn this side who finished third in the league last season into title winners.
Ancelotti confirmed that no new faces will be at Stamford Bridge before the start of the league season in two weeks' time.
"But the transfer window only closes in August 31," he said.
The suggestion is that the much-touted Mr Pirlo from AC Milan will arrive in SW6 to swell the already heaving midfield ranks.

Reading boss Brendan Rodgers - a mini-Mourinho in the making can take credit for reducing Chelsea to quivering wrecks.
Goals from Jimmy Kebe and Scott Davies put Chelsea to the sword. But substitute Salomon Kalou and an deflected free-kick off the body of Alex Pearce meant the journey back down the A4 for the Blues was more cheerful than it should have been.

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