Ciaran Clark’s dramatic late equaliser helped Aston Villa grab a fully-deserved point in a 3-3 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea seemed to have claimed all three points in a superb game when John Terry gave them the lead in the 89th minute – just six minutes after Didier Drogba had equalised.
But Villa were not to be denied and Clark headed home Marc Albrighton’s cross to increase Chelsea’s miserable run of form, which sees them six points behind Manchester United – who also have a game in hand – and outside of the Champions League spots.
The game saw two of the Premier League’s most out of form sides face each other, with both having won just one of their last seven league games.
That run had seen Chelsea drop out of the Champions League spots and increase the pressure on manager Carlo Ancelotti.
After a slow start Chelsea took the lead in controversial fashion after 23 minutes.
There wasn’t even an appeal when James Collins challenged Florent Malouda for a header in the box, and it was unsure whether referee Lee Mason gave the spot kick for the centre-back’s challenge, or the for the fact that the ball hit his hand unintentionally.
The Villa players were furious, but Lampard stepped up to slam home into the top corner for his first goal since August.
Clark headed over from Young’s corner as Villa attempted to respond, and they wasted a superb chance seven minutes before the break.
It was poor defending by Chelsea as Downing was allowed to chip a ball into the box and Richard Dunne ghosted in behind the home defence, only to slice over the bar from six yards with just Cech to beat.
But the visitors deservedly drew level three minutes later after Mason awarded his second penalty of the game.
This time there could be no debate about the decision as Michael Essien clearly upended Nigel Reo-Coker in the box, and Young stepped up to confidently beat Cech from 12 yards.
And within 90 seconds of the restart Villa stunned the Stamford Bridge faithful as they took a shock lead.
Stewart Downing was the creator, dinking a lovely cross to the far post that allowed Heskey to rise above Jeffrey Bruma and power home.
Chelsea threw numbers forward in response with Ramires dragging a shot wide before Friedel saved well from Lampard and Malouda.
And they finally got their reward when Drogba picked up a loose ball and fired through a crowded six-yard box and into the net.
There were then scenes of wild celebration as Terry swept home from 12 yards with a minute remaining in regular time, but Clark’s header brought a dramatic game to its’ conclusion as Villa grabbed the point they fully deserved.
Sun 2 January, 2011
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