Ancelotti: Blues must defend set pieces better

CARLO ANCELOTTI has conceded his title-chasing side need to improve their defending from set pieces after Hull counterpart Phil Brown identified the issue as Chelsea’s “Achilles heel”.

The Blues extended their lead at the Barclays Premier League summit to two points after a 1-1 draw at the KC Stadium on Tuesday night, but their ongoing difficulties at deadball situations were exposed.

Steven Mouyokolo put the Tigers ahead as he left the Chelsea defence for dead to head home a Stephen Hunt corner after half an hour.

Then, just moments after Didier Drogba equalised with his 20th goal of the season, Anthony Gardner missed a glorious chance to make it 2-1 after getting on the end of Tom Cairney’s free-kick.

Chelsea have been struggling all season from similar situations and Ancelotti admitted it is a concern.

“We know about it. I know very well how many goals we have (conceded) from set pieces,” said the Italian.

“Every team here in England has a very good jumper and a very good striker and it can happen that you concede a goal.

“I think we did our best but it was a tough game and Hull played well and put a lot of pressure on us.”

Despite dropping two points to a side who remain stuck in the bottom three, Ancelotti was far from downcast.

“We don’t have to be disappointed, sometimes it can happen that we draw. But we have two points at the top of the table and we have to look forward,” he said. “We are in a good position, we are top and we know Manchester United are a very good opponent. It will be a long race until the end of the season but for now we are happy to be two points ahead.’’

Brown confirmed his side had worked hard on exposing the visitors’ weaknesses.

“It’s my job to investigate how to score goals against Chelsea and they’ve conceded something like nine out of 10 of their goals, or something like that, from set pieces,” he said.

“If that’s the Achilles heel for Chelsea then we have to exploit it.”

Brown was also buoyed by the performance of Republic of Ireland winger Hunt, who caused Branislav Ivanovic plenty of problems on the flank little more than 24 hours after the Tigers rejected a deadline day £5 million (€5.7m) bid from Wolves.

“The chairman has done that, he’s proved he wants this club to stay in the Premier League,” said Brown.

“Five million is a lot for a player, especially when you just paid £2.5million for him at the start of the season.

“When it went to £5million the chairman asked me the question and I said I didn’t want to sell him at all, that’s the right kind of message to send to everybody.”

Meanwhile Chelsea defender John Terry has no intention of speaking publicly about his status as England captain before meeting with manager Fabio Capello.

Terry issued a brief statement yesterday insisting he was “keeping his own counsel” over the allegations about his private life that have plunged him into a media storm.

The Chelsea star has faced calls for his resignation as skipper following allegations he had an affair with the ex-partner of England team-mate Wayne Bridge.

Phil Hall, Terry’s spokesman, said: “John Terry asked me to make it clear that he has made absolutely no statement about his future as England captain. He is keeping his own counsel until he speaks to England manager Fabio Capello and then Mr Capello will decide what announcement will be made.”

Hall was speaking following reports yesterday that claimed Terry would not offer to resign.