Chelsea prepare for Everton exam

by Ian WINROW

FOOTBALL: LONDON, Dec 12, 2009:- There's no crisis talk at Stamford Bridge but events in the last fortnight have prompted Chelsea's first bout of soul-searching since the pre-season arrival of manager Carlo Ancelotti.

The Blues saw out November with an emphatic 3-0 victory at Arsenal that led to Ancelotti's side being hailed as Premier League champions-elect in some quarters.

But the mood has darkened since that game with a league defeat at Manchester City following a League Cup loss to Blackburn before this week's scrambled home Champions League draw with APOEL Nicosia that the manager described as the worst performance since he took charge. Suddenly the poise that accompanied Chelsea's controlled start to the season looks a little less assured and there will be an added edge to their home meeting with Everton this weekend.

Manchester United's victory at West Ham last weekend meant the champions capitalised on Chelsea's loss at City, cutting the London club's advantage at the head of the Premier League to just two points. Another slip against Everton and the two leading clubs could be back on level terms, with the balance of power shifting towards Old Trafford.