Clarke's Rants: Crystal Palace (a)

Last updated : 25 August 2004 By Liam Corbett
Clarke was speaking on behalf of boss Jose Mourinho, and was quick to acknowledge the importance of Didier Drogba's first Premiership goal.

“He showed tonight that if we get quality crosses into the box then he is going to be a threat.”

“The quicker Didier got his first League goal for the club the better and it is nice that he has got one, Eidur has one and hopefully we can get one for Kezman on Saturday.”

Drogba was substituted late on for Eidur Gudjohnsen, following a late tackle from Palace's Hudson, from behind.

“He got just a nasty kick on the ankle, it is very painful just now and he has got ice on it. But we are very hopeful it is just bruising and it will settle down in a couple of days."

With Southapton visiting us this Saturday, it would be nice for Drogba to get his first goal at Stamford Bridge, not counting his strike in Zola's tribute match.

When questioned about Damien Duff's absence from the squad, Clarke said, "We have two top class wingers at the club in Damien Duff and Arjen Robben, who's injured at the moment, and I think that as the season goes on both those players will be involved which will give us extra width.”

“But I think you saw tonight that we can still get quality crosses in even without them.

“Damien is very close. He played the full 90 minutes for Ireland last week which is good for us. He is in full training and he has a chance of being involved on Saturday.”