Drogba class unlocks Cottagers

ROMAN ABRAMOVICH might be the man who holds the fate of Chelsea managers in his steely grasp, but Didier Drogba is not far behind.

Failing to massage the Ivorian’s monumental ego at every given opportunity can have dire consequences for those occupying the Stamford Bridge dug-out, as Avram Grant and Luiz Felipe Scolari can testify, but Carlo Ancelotti has obviously learnt fast since assuming control in west London.

The Italian has reinforced Drogba’s status as Chelsea’s striking totem and he has been richly rewarded. Another coruscating performance yesterday, which saw him score one and set up another for Nicolas Anelka, dismantled a curiously flaky Fulham, maintaining the club’s 100% record under their new manager and taking his goal tally to three for the season.