Villas-Boas: I'm not pleased

Last updated : 14 August 2011 By Paul Lagan

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Well, what’s to be made of Chelsea’s first test of the season?

An ever so drab draw away to Stoke City is not what one would expect of a Chelsea who has ambitions of regaining the league title.

Poor first half and a marginally better second half sums up Andre Villas-Boas’s first game of any note in charge.

Vilas- Boas started with misfit Fernando Torres in the line-up.

Again, the Spanish international looked out of sorts. It’s not his fault; he’s just not getting the kind of specialist service his talents require.

All this while in-form Didier Drogba warmed the bench for much of the game.

Last season Chelsea came out all guns blazing and sweep aside all in front of them, only to slump alarmingly before finishing with some kind of acceptable form.

But they were nine points adrift of winners Manchester United and the Blues are now two points behind after the first game after United’s 1-2 win at West Bromwich Albion.

Rookie boss Villas-Boas said: “I couldn't be pleased with a point but it is one of the most difficult grounds to play away from home.

'Last season at home I think Stoke had 10 wins and a couple of draws so for our title challenge one point from Stoke is not bad. It is not the greatest start of course but we are happy we raised our game in the second half.

'The first half we were able to defend them but we struggled with Stoke's set plays and we couldn't put the ball on the ground which was to their advantage. We couldn't create opportunities which we managed do in the second half, but unfortunately the goal didn't happen.

'We were close and we played in their half in the second half. The game was more in our control but unfortunately we couldn't find the back of the net.'