Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti is hoping that Chelsea’s recent slump in form is a thing of the past.
The league leaders recovered from a goal down within four minutes to beat near neighbours Fulham 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.
But it was far from convincing: “This game arrived with us not in a good moment,” said the Italian.
But my team showed great determination, spirit and direction, especially in the second half.
“The first half was no so good for us
“I hope that this victory finishes a difficult moment for us.”
That was the understatement of the year. Fulham took the lead and fought tooth and nails to hang onto it.
Their back four kicked, headed and hacked anything round that came with spitting distance and it almost worked.
“We changed some things in the second half,” admitted Ancelotti.
“We put Kalou and Joe Cole more to the wings and gave them more chances.
“Up until then, Fulham, with their good organisation had few problems from us.
“I was not angry with the players at half-time. It was a simple thing to change things round. In the first half we played too slowly, in the second we had more opportunities.
“Every player played differently in the second half.”
Chelsea will be hoping that life without Didier Drogba and the other African players will not prove too problematic in the coming weeks.
Drogba, Salomon Kalou and Michael Essien now head off to the African Cup of Nations.
They will miss all of the January action.
Ancelotti said of this period: “In January, we play mostly one game a week.
“This will allow players to recover and injured players to return. I hope to have Nicolas Anelka back soon.
“We played Champions league matches already this season without Drogba and I hope we can play as well and be as successful in the Premier League without him.
“Drogba has scored 19 goals this season but we can play without him if we have to.”
When asked about his first half season in charge of the Blues, Ancelotti said: “I am satisfied. December was not good. I hope January will be better.”
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson was frustrated that his team’s performance led to nothing: “It was a competitive game, he said.
“We scored early and had something to hold onto.
"Then within three minutes we were behind. But still we pushed them back .
“t was such a hard-working performance against a rampant Chelsea. We wanted the reward of at least a point.”