Chelsea back in hunt after victory
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Frank Lampard helped Chelsea on their way with the second goal in the 3-0 win over Portsmouth
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LONDON, England -- Chelsea shrugged off their Christmas blues with a 3-0 home win over struggling Portsmouth.
A Boxing Day defeat to Charlton had threatened to derail their Premier League title challenge, but after a goalless first half Chelsea broke through after the break.
Wayne Bridge scored his first Premiership goal on 65 minutes, with Frank Lampard and Geremi, with a superb volley, rounding off the win.
"I was waiting for this performance," said Chelsea coach Claudio Ranieri.
"We knew December was a bad month for us and I'm sure in the new year it will be better."
The win draws Chelsea level with Arsenal, who have a game in hand. However, the pair are four points behind English league leaders Manchester United, who beat Middlesbrough 1-0 on Sunday.
Ranieri's team were made to work hard for an hour for their victory by a Portsmouth side who are battling relegation after a bright start to the season.
England midfielder Lampard hit the post with the home side's best first half effort, before wing-back Bridge broke the deadlock with a fine solo effort.
Eight minutes later Lampard finally appeared on the scoresheet as his rising shot found the roof of the net, while Geremi's strike on 82 minutes was the icing on the cake.
Ranieri made some key changes for the match after the defeat to Charlton, mainly in defence where he left veteran French World Cup winner Marcel Desailly on the subs bench alongside 19-year-old Glen Johnson.
Chelsea's defence had been sorely exposed on Friday and Ranieri's decision to bring in Bridge and the more experienced Mario Melchiot to join his back four proved inspirational.
Meanwhile, Ranieri has revealed that Argentine midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron will be out for another three weeks as he recovers from a back injury.
Veron has not played since returning from international duty six weeks ago. His compatriot, striker Hernan Crespo, has also missed the last two Chelsea games through illness.
"Juan has started training but will need another 20 days," said Ranieri.
