Chelsea Two Good For Club America

Chelsea claimed a 2-0 win over Club America in Arlington, Texas, thus sealing their place atop the standings in the World Football Challenge.

It was the English who had the first clear chance of the game, and early on too. A dangerous cross from Salomon Kalou gave young Daniel Sturridge a glorious opportunity in the ninth minute - but the new boy's touch let him down and the effort looped over.

It didn't take America long to get into the game, however, and they gradually won the ascendancy as Enrique Esqueda, in particular, gave the Blues' back line a headache or several.

The young Mexican attacker was ubiquitous as America began to slice through the Londoners, especially down the flanks, and could have put his side ahead in the 22nd minute. His side-foot shot, though, bent agonizingly wide.

Chelsea picked up their intensity as the half progressed, however, and were clearly the dominant side as the whistle neared. Kalou hammered a Florent Malouda set-piece into the woodwork in the 35th minute, and Ricardo Carvalho did the same just moments later.

Still, it was goalless as the interval arrived. Carlo Ancelotti made a number of changes for the start of the second 45, with Andriy Shevchenko replacing Daniel Sturridge, Franco di Santo on for Scott Sinclair, and Hilario making way for Ross Turnbull.

The two sides traded some promising, but ultimately fruitless, attacks after the restart - Shevchenko getting involved for the Pensioners, CA sub Joaquin Marquez threatening to open things up at the other end.

Chelsea, who had thus far been untroubled by set-pieces, were lucky not to concede from such a play just after the hour. Salvador Cabanas couldn't quite get his head on a looping free kick, which proceeded to ricochet off the upright.

And yet it was Ancelotti's men who, on 75 minutes, got the breakthrough. Ashley Cole - only just introduced - fed Malouda, who then found Di Santo streaming through the America defence to poke home from close range.

Three minutes later, it was 2-0, as the assistant and scorer of the first goal exchanged roles. The young Argentine cut back towards Claudio Pizarro, who left it for Malouda stroke into an unguarded net.

Their spirits shattered, the Mexicans could not find an answer as Chelsea maintained their advantage to claim top spot in the World Football Challenge.

Chelsea 2 (Di Santo 75', Malouda 78')
Club America 0

Mike Maguire, Goal.com

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