Thursday, September 28, 2006

Drogba the top drog

Video Safari

Didier Drogba struck a superb hat-trick as Chelsea cruised to an easy 3-1 win at Levski Sofia tonight.
The 28-year-old Ivory Coast striker preferred to focus on the fact the Blues had claimed a first victory on their Champions League travels for more than 10 months.
Drogba told Sky Sports: "We took the three points even though we conceded the goal at the end. The most important was the result, taking three points away from home.
"Okay, I scored three goals and I am very happy but the most important thing in the Champions League is to win away."
He did, though, admit he enjoyed the hat-trick, saying: "It means a lot because I was looking for it since I am here so I am very happy."
Drogba and Michael Ballack both hit the woodwork before the striker put the Blues ahead in the first half.

Drogba hit an unstoppable half-volley after goalkeeper Georgi Petkov produced a fine save following John Obi Mikel's powerful shot.
Drogba then claimed his second in the 52nd minute when his shot squeezed under the goalkeeper after he controlled a long ball over the top and turning his defender.
The third goal came in the 68th minute when he backheeled Frank Lampard's shot into the net before the Bulgarians pulled one back just before the end.
The Stamford Bridge side take on Barcelona in their next Champions League matches with Chelsea heading the group following the Spaniards' draw with Werder Bremen but he denied Chelsea had as yet turned their attention to those matches.
"It is not that crucial to think about Barcelona," said Drogba.
"We should enjoy the result and (we need) to think about Villa on Saturday we have to recover and think about Villa.
"I feel comfortable on the pitch and I just want to enjoy and to play."
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho had mixed feelings despite picking up his second consecutive victory in the team's opening two Champions League games.
"It is (a) very important (result). I knew it was not an easy game especially at the beginning," Mourinho told Sky Sports.
"The atmosphere very warm and they played with a lot of motivation and I knew it was going to be very difficult.
"When we were two and 3-0 up we have to keep better control of the game. In the last part of the game we did not play very well.
"So I am just a little disappointed because we didn't control the last bit."
Mourinho also refused to read too much into Chelsea's place at the top of Group A, insisting the Blues did not have the upper hand.
"It means the group is very strong," he added. "Normally when you have Barcelona and Chelsea in the same group at this moment it should be six (points) and six (points).
"We have six points, we have to do about 10 or 11.
"We have to go to Barcelona and Bremen, two difficult matches. We are not playing super football, still some players with room to improve but still we are okay."
On Drogba's hat-trick, Mourinho said: "He has scored goals in England, scored in Europe and playing very well so it is a beautiful moment for him."