sport

TROUBLED TERRY BACKED BY BLUES

John Terry roars with delight after Chelsea's opener.

Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti paid tribute to his "perfect" captain John Terry after two goals from Didier Drogba against Arsenal put the Blues back on top of the Barclays Premier League.

Terry, stripped of the England captaincy by England boss Fabio Capello on Friday after a week of lurid headlines about his private life, produced a typically inspirational performance that won more plaudits from his club boss.

"John is the perfect captain for Chelsea," said Ancelotti.

"My captain has a fantastic attitude. He is doing very well in every game.

"It is very important for the team to have this leadership. He was always in control of the game. He has a strong mentality.

"He is working for his club and we are happy to have this performance from him in this moment.

"The England captaincy was not my decision and I do not want to judge this decision. I knew John had met Capello but I did not meet with (Terry) afterwards."

Ancelotti refused to rule Arsenal out of the title race even though the Gunners are now nine points behind the leaders after this Stamford Bridge defeat.

"Arsenal still have a possibility because they are a good team," added the Italian.

"It depends on the performances of Manchester United and Chelsea. I am not sure it will be a race with two horses."

The Chelsea coach was equally delighted with the form of Drogba, who has now scored three goals in two games since he returned from the African Nations Cup.

Drogba's brace took his tally for the season to 22 and 12 in 12 against the Gunners.

"We scored an unbelievable second goal," said Ancelotti.

"It was fantastic movement, fantastic passing and a fantastic shot from Didier. This is football.

"Didier did very well and he is in a good moment. He came back from the African Nations Cup with fantastic motivation and continues to have very good performances."

Although Arsenal had more of the possession than Chelsea, Drogba's eighth minute opener settled Chelsea's nerves and his second in the 22nd minute sealed victory.

"We did some fantastic defensive work," added Ancelotti.

"We tried to score more but we worked together for 90 minutes. Sometimes you have to defend.

"We were winning 2-0 and it was important to defend. The defenders, midfielders and strikers did a fantastic job.

"Petr Cech was in control for 90 minutes. Arsenal produced some fantastic attacking play so it was not easy. Maybe they had more possession than us but this is not football. Football is attack, defence and results also. We deserved to win."

Drogba admitted it had been a tough week for Chelsea but he stressed Terry had the players' full support.

"It has been a difficult week for us, for Chelsea, for all the club," Drogba told Sky Sports.

"We tried to stay together and focus on the game. It is a matter of time but we will stick together and keep looking forward.

"We offered him (Terry) as much support as we can. The best thing for him is to play. All his team-mates have to do everything for him."

Drogba has now scored 12 goals in 12 games against Arsenal.

"The most important thing is we are top of the league," said Drogba.