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Chelsea held by plucky Birmingham
Carlo Ancelotti has insisted he will not be hitting the January sales, but the Chelsea manager may rethink his strategy after his side were held to a 0-0 draw at Birmingham on Saturday.
Carlo Ancelotti has insisted he will not be hitting the January sales, but the Chelsea manager may rethink his strategy after his side were held to a 0-0 draw at Birmingham on Saturday.
Ancelotti's Premier League leaders could not find a way past Birmingham's heroic goalkeeper Joe Hart and will now be without strikers Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou for the next month in a series of games that could make or break their bid to wrestle the title from Manchester United.
Drogba and Kalou will fly out to the African Nations Cup on Monday and Ancelotti's faith in rookie striker Daniel Sturridge appeared misguided as the former Manchester City youngster fluffed his lines against a resurgent Birmingham.
The Italian's excruciating day plumbed further depths when Florent Malouda was sent off late on for a second bookable offence and the Blues' lead over United could be cut to two points if the champions win at Hull on Sunday. Ancelotti's lack of firepower was glaring against Alex McLeish's side, who have now gone eight games without defeat. While Ancelotti could still consider transfer market moves, McLeish is mounting a compelling case to be named this season’s Premier League manager of the year after a stunning campaign so far at St Andrew’s.
Results: Fulham 0-Spurs 0; West Ham 2-Portsmouth 0; Birmingham 0-Chelsea 0.
