FULL TIME: LEINSTER 25-6 MUNSTER
80 mins: Leinster skipper Leo Cullen wanders off the field with the clock in the red - his contribution is more than appreciated by the fans in blue. Jamie Heaslip runs into touch and up go the arms of anyone clad in blue - Leinster have finally beaten their rivals in the Heineken Cup.
78 mins: It just gets worse for Munster, Mafi knocks on attempting to pierce non-existent holes in the Leinster defence, handing the blues the put-in at the scrum.
73 mins: Still they pound, absolutely no fat lady singing in Limerick right now. Leinster concede the penalties, but Munster just can't get a sniff of the line. And to compound matters further, they are turned over by Jamie Heaslip inches from the whitewash as Jonathan Sexton thumps the ball into touch. However, a penalty is conceded, so Munster are still camped inside Leinster territory.
70 mins: Here come Munster with a series of short bursts around the fringes, with hooker Jerry Flannery dancing through the lines with a great angle. But Alan Quinlan is just bundled into touch just inches from the tryline.
67 mins: David Wallace is absolutely nailed by a thumping Shane Horgan tackle, forcing the Lions flanker to spill the ball and hand Leinster possession at the scrum. Off goes Munster prop John Hayes, who becomes the most capped Heineken Cup player, overtaking Anthony Foley's record with 87 appearances.
65 mins: Nothing is going Munster's way. Marcus Horan is penalised for not releasing on the deck around the Leinster 22m line, much to the frustration of the Munster fans, most of whom are watching through their fingers.
61 mins: TRY Leinster 25-6 Munster Just as Munster look to turn their territorial advantage into points, up pops Brian O'Driscoll to intercept Ronan O'Gara's pass to Paul O'Connell inside his own half. The Ireland captain sprints 70m, with only the fading O'Gara for company, to touch down under the posts. Murrayfield is within their sights as Sexton adds the extras.
58 mins: Epic attack and defence. Munster pound the ball through repeated phases, but are matched by Leinster's physicality. The ball breaks down, with referee Owens awarding the put-in to Munster 10m from the Leinster tryline. Enthralling. A big blow for Leinster as tryscorer Luke Fitzgerald is helped off the field with an injury, so Girvan Dempsey, a survivor from the previous semi-final in 2006, is on.
56 mins: Brilliant defence from Leinster as Munster's forwards attempt to pummel their opposite numbers into submission. The men in blue counter-attack, allowing BoD to clear, much to the jubilation of the Leinster fans.
54 mins: Shane Jennings says hello to Ronan O'Gara with a very late tackle, which does not go unseen from referee Owens, who awards Munster a penalty, thumped deep into Leinster's 22m. At last, something for the red-clad fans to get behind their team.
52 mins: A Powerful burst from Mafi sees Munster push on to Leinster's 22m. But as Munster look to push through the forwards, an inopportune knock-on ends any hope of a riposte.
49 mins: O'Gara is having a day to forget - his poor crossfield kick finds Jonathan Sexton, who counter-attacks into space, but Leinster are penalised for offside. More woe for O'Gara, whose long kick crosses the deadball line, sending play back into Munster territory.
47 mins: Malcolm O'Kelly is penalised for going in to a ruck off his feet, ending another probing sortie into Munster's 22m.
43 mins: TRY Leinster 18-6 Munster Lovely sweeping move through the entire Leinster backline, including a brilliant offload from Shane Horgan off his wing, sees Luke Fitzgerald sidestep past full-back Paul Warwick to touch down on the left flank. Excellent score made even better by Jonathan Sexton's conversion. Hear that? That's the sound of the form book being ripped to shreds.
41 mins: Ian Dowling's scuffed kick ends the first bout of aerial foot tennis, although Munster steal the subsequent line out.
1832: The teams are back out at Croke Park. And we're off.
HALF TIME: LEINSTER 11-6 MUNSTER
40 mins: Strong finish from Munster, who snuff out any late try danger with a turnover just inside their 22m. But stern words will be dished out in the Munster dressing room after Nigel Owens whistles for half time.
38 mins: With two minutes on the clock left until half time, Jonathan Sexton has a punt with a drop-goal from 30m out, but his effort sails well wide of the posts.
36 mins: PENALTY Leinster 11-6 Munster The sublime follows the not so subtle as Elsom is penalised for a shirt tug on the so-far quiet Doug Howlett as the Kiwi chases his own kick. Some finger wagging from Nigel Owens in Elsom's face as Ronan O'Gara notches his second kick of the afternoon.
34 mins: This is a corker - fantastic counter-attacking defence (is that an oxymoron?) from Leinster, with Rocky Elsom once again in the thick of things at the bottom of a ruck. Munster look short of ideas.
31 mins: TRY Leinster 11-3 Munster Quite, quite brilliant from Leinster's midfield. Lovely lines from Isa Nacewa, via a Brian O'Driscoll pass, who dissects Munster's defence before sending out a floated pass to Gordon D'Arcy , who just about manages to bundle the ball down after he was felled a couple of metres by Keith Earls from the whitewash, but his momentum takes him over. Sexton misses the tough conversion from the left touchline. Superb try.
28 mins: Munster, not used to being under cosh for this season, manage to turnover possession, with Paul Warwick clearing to the half-way line.
27 mins: Even the bounce is going Leinster's way as BoD's clearance bounces awkwardly over the head of David Wallace on the Munster 22m, although the second rebound eludes the onrushing Jamie Heaslip, much to Wallace's relief. Had the second bounce landed in the number eight's hands, it would have been the first try of the afternoon.
26 mins: PENALTY Leinster 6-3 Munster Rocky Elsom lives up to his name as he mauls his way through the Munster defence - courtesy of a subtle block from Shane Horgan on David Wallace - towards the tryline. The Australian is held up just metres from the whitewash, but up goes Nigel Owen's arm for a penalty in front of the sticks. But it's not all good news for Leinster, who loose Contempomi with a knee injury in the build-up to the penalty. Replays suggest the fly-half has twisted his knee. On comes replacement Jonathan Sexton , who, amid the hush, launches his kick right through the posts. Pressure? Eat it for breakfast.
23 mins: More indiscipline from Munster, this time for offside at the scrum. The left boot of Luke Fitzgerald sees the ball sail downfield.
21 mins: A penalty sees Leinster clear their lines to inside Munster's 22m, although Shane Horgan was rather fortunate that the penalty was not overturned after an injudicious retaliation on PoC. But an aggressive tackle from Ronan O'Gara, defensively under-rated sometimes, sees Leo Cullen penalised for not releasing.
18 mins: PENALTY Leinster 3-3 Munster Munster hit back almost immediately when Ronan O'Gara sends a penalty 40m through following a very obvious obstruction from scrum-half Cian Healy, who is sent to the bins by referee Nigel Owens. Absolutely no subtlety there from the young number nine, quite right too.
16 mins: DROP-KICK Leinster 3-0 Munster Bernard Jackman finds his jumpers, allowing Chris scrum-half Chris Whitaker to feed Felipe Contepomi , who nails a very high and straight drop-kick.
13 mins: Lots of industry from Leinster's forwards, nicking the ball from a ruck, allowing Brian O'Driscoll to send through a probing grubber kick for Fitzgerald to chase. Munster full-back Paul Warwick gets the ball - but is soon bundled out inside his own 22m. A good platform for Leinster on their own throw.
10 mins: Brilliant break at pace deep inside his own half from Keith Earls following a subtle offload from Mafi sees the centre outpacing the fleet-footed Luke Fitzgerald. He's eventually hauled down five metres short of the tryline, but the ball is recycled to winger Ian Dowling, who is shunted back two metres by an almighty try-saving tackle from Rocky Elsom. Brilliant stuff.
9 mins: Brilliant snaffle from Leinster prop Stan Wright from a high kick sets up Isa Nacewa to kick deep into Munster's 22m.
8 mins: Impressive defence from Leinster, with two big hits forcing Lifeimi Mafi to knock on, a tackle which sparks a mini rumpus with Gordon D'arcy and Keith Earls the epicentre. A stern lecture from the ever-spritely Nigel Owens to both captains warns both captains that any more of that and it's yellow cards.
5 mins: Not a good start at all for Contepomi. Peter Stringer charges down Brian O'Driscoll's kick, while the Leinster fly-half making a less-than impressive clearance deep inside his 22m line, making about five metres. However, Contepomi makes amends with a strong run from a quick penalty, earning valuable ground.
3 mins : Munster's Denis Leamy is penalised for a tackle at the ruck on the half-way line, allowing Felipe Contepomi his first shot at the sticks. The Argentine opts for a low trajectory but his radar is off-line as the kick sails right of the posts.
1 minute: Nice start from Felipe Contepomi, whose high hanging kick causes a bit of confusion in Munster's ranks, but Ronan O'Gara makes touch towards the half-way line with a confident kick.
sábado, 2 de mayo de 2009
SRI LANKA , EL VIEJO CEYLAN SE DESANGRA , ACA UNA TERRIBLE HISTORIA
'Primero murieron los niños, luego los ancianos' de es.digital
Un grupo de pescadores que trataba de huir de la zona de guerra de Sri Lanka, llegó hace pocos días a la costa india tras un periplo de 1.300 kilómetros y 9 días. Durante ese tiempo, la pequeña embarcación en la que viajaban navegó a la deriva y de los 21 tripulantes, sólo 10 fueron rescatados con vida.
Una de las supervivientes, Mary Joseph Beny, relató a las autoridades del hospital de Uppada, en la región india de Andra Pradesh, cómo sus familiares y compañeros de viaje fueron muriendo de hambre, sed e insolación. "Primero murieron los niños, luego los ancianos; no teníamos otra opción que arrojar los cadáveres por la borda para evitar enfermedades", dijo.
Su intención era ponerse a salvo lejos de la zona donde actualmente se están librando los combates armados entre el ejército gubernamental de Sri Lanka y la guerrilla de los "tigres" tamiles, en el nordeste de la isla de Ceilán. Aunque el objetivo de los pescadores era alcanzar un lugar seguro cerca de su aldea, la repentina muerte del conductor de la lancha trastocó sus planes. Pronto se quedaron sin combustible, agua ni alimentos y se quedaron a merced de la corriente marina y de un sol abrasador.
Cuando su lancha se encontraba cerca de la costa india, fue avistada por un pesquero que les rescató y fueron trasladados a un hospital donde aún permanecen ingresados. Habían recorrido 1.300 kilómetros.
Entre los supervivientes hay un niño de unos tres años y una mujer que perdió a tres de sus hijos en el naufragio y permanece en estado de shock. Uno de los supervivientes aseguró que la impotencia de ver cómo sus seres queridos iban muriendo de hambre uno tras otro era aún peor que el temor por su propia suerte.
Mientras, en Mullaittivu, la aldea desde la que partieron, continúan los combates entre los rebeldes tamiles y el ejército de Sri Lanka, una batalla más en un conflicto que ha dejado más de 70.000 muertos y un millón de refugiados en los últimos 25 años. Una de las mujeres que viajaban en la lancha declaró: "Se me rompe el corazón al pensar en los que aún permanecen atrapados en la zona de guerra, pero parece que nadie se molesta en pensar en ellos".
La gran ofensiva militar que el ejército gubernamental inició a comienzos de año redujo el territorio controlado por la guerrilla a una pequeña franja de tierra en el nordeste de Ceilán. En las últimas semanas, se ha recrudecido el asedio al último bastión de los "tigres" tamiles en el enclave de Karaillamullivaikal, donde se ha decretado una zona de alto el fuego. Sin embargo, según varias fuentes, continúan los combates entre ambos bandos y la situación de la población civil atrapada en el campo de batalla es desesperada.
Las autoridades indias piensan trasladar a los diez refugiados tamiles a un campamento para víctimas de la guerra en la región india de Tamil Nadu, donde es mayoría la población de etnia tamil.
Un grupo de pescadores que trataba de huir de la zona de guerra de Sri Lanka, llegó hace pocos días a la costa india tras un periplo de 1.300 kilómetros y 9 días. Durante ese tiempo, la pequeña embarcación en la que viajaban navegó a la deriva y de los 21 tripulantes, sólo 10 fueron rescatados con vida.
Una de las supervivientes, Mary Joseph Beny, relató a las autoridades del hospital de Uppada, en la región india de Andra Pradesh, cómo sus familiares y compañeros de viaje fueron muriendo de hambre, sed e insolación. "Primero murieron los niños, luego los ancianos; no teníamos otra opción que arrojar los cadáveres por la borda para evitar enfermedades", dijo.
Su intención era ponerse a salvo lejos de la zona donde actualmente se están librando los combates armados entre el ejército gubernamental de Sri Lanka y la guerrilla de los "tigres" tamiles, en el nordeste de la isla de Ceilán. Aunque el objetivo de los pescadores era alcanzar un lugar seguro cerca de su aldea, la repentina muerte del conductor de la lancha trastocó sus planes. Pronto se quedaron sin combustible, agua ni alimentos y se quedaron a merced de la corriente marina y de un sol abrasador.
Cuando su lancha se encontraba cerca de la costa india, fue avistada por un pesquero que les rescató y fueron trasladados a un hospital donde aún permanecen ingresados. Habían recorrido 1.300 kilómetros.
Entre los supervivientes hay un niño de unos tres años y una mujer que perdió a tres de sus hijos en el naufragio y permanece en estado de shock. Uno de los supervivientes aseguró que la impotencia de ver cómo sus seres queridos iban muriendo de hambre uno tras otro era aún peor que el temor por su propia suerte.
Mientras, en Mullaittivu, la aldea desde la que partieron, continúan los combates entre los rebeldes tamiles y el ejército de Sri Lanka, una batalla más en un conflicto que ha dejado más de 70.000 muertos y un millón de refugiados en los últimos 25 años. Una de las mujeres que viajaban en la lancha declaró: "Se me rompe el corazón al pensar en los que aún permanecen atrapados en la zona de guerra, pero parece que nadie se molesta en pensar en ellos".
La gran ofensiva militar que el ejército gubernamental inició a comienzos de año redujo el territorio controlado por la guerrilla a una pequeña franja de tierra en el nordeste de Ceilán. En las últimas semanas, se ha recrudecido el asedio al último bastión de los "tigres" tamiles en el enclave de Karaillamullivaikal, donde se ha decretado una zona de alto el fuego. Sin embargo, según varias fuentes, continúan los combates entre ambos bandos y la situación de la población civil atrapada en el campo de batalla es desesperada.
Las autoridades indias piensan trasladar a los diez refugiados tamiles a un campamento para víctimas de la guerra en la región india de Tamil Nadu, donde es mayoría la población de etnia tamil.
MIDDLESBROUGH 0-2 MANCHESTER UNITED (BBC REPORT)
Manchester United took a step closer to retaining the Premier League title with a comfortable victory at relegation-threatened Middlesbrough.
Ryan Giggs gave the visitors the lead in the first half when his low drive found Brad Jones' bottom left corner.
Ji-Sung Park scored United's second when he smashed in Wayne Rooney's neat pass following a delightful move.
Boro's best chance fell to Jeremie Aliadiere whose low shot was saved by the legs of Ben Foster early on.
The league leaders will have been delighted to have come away from the Riverside with three points having performed below the high standards they are used to.
Ryan Giggs gave the visitors the lead in the first half when his low drive found Brad Jones' bottom left corner.
Ji-Sung Park scored United's second when he smashed in Wayne Rooney's neat pass following a delightful move.
Boro's best chance fell to Jeremie Aliadiere whose low shot was saved by the legs of Ben Foster early on.
The league leaders will have been delighted to have come away from the Riverside with three points having performed below the high standards they are used to.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson rested key players with Tuesday's Champions League semi-final second leg against Arsenal in mind and, surprisingly, Middlesbrough rarely forced United to increase their tempo.
Boro, who remain second from bottom in the table, were bereft of ideas and relied on hopeful high balls into the area, which centre-backs Nemanja Vidic and Jonny Evans coped with admirably.
The home side did have one clear chance when Marlon King played in Aliadiere but Foster was alert to make the save.
At the other end, United's front pairing of Dimitar Berbatov and Federico Macheda were largely ineffective in a 4-4-2 formation.
Boro, who remain second from bottom in the table, were bereft of ideas and relied on hopeful high balls into the area, which centre-backs Nemanja Vidic and Jonny Evans coped with admirably.
The home side did have one clear chance when Marlon King played in Aliadiere but Foster was alert to make the save.
At the other end, United's front pairing of Dimitar Berbatov and Federico Macheda were largely ineffective in a 4-4-2 formation.
So when United scored, it was no surprise it came from the boot of the PFA Player of the Year, who is as desperate for his 11th league title as some of his team-mates are for their first.
Rooney found Vidic, who had been forward for a set-piece, who in turn laid the ball to Giggs. The 35-year-old Welshman steadied himself before placing his low effort wide of Jones' left from the edge of the area.
His veteran partner in the middle, Paul Scholes, 34, should have tested Jones after the break, but uncharacteristically failed to find the target with both of his long-range efforts.
Luckily for Scholes, United are not short of sharp-shooters. Their second came after a sublime move that saw Giggs and Macheda play a one-two before the fabulous Rooney threaded the ball to Park, who powered in a low drive.
It was the highlight of the match and underlined that gulf in quality between the two squads.
Rooney found Vidic, who had been forward for a set-piece, who in turn laid the ball to Giggs. The 35-year-old Welshman steadied himself before placing his low effort wide of Jones' left from the edge of the area.
His veteran partner in the middle, Paul Scholes, 34, should have tested Jones after the break, but uncharacteristically failed to find the target with both of his long-range efforts.
Luckily for Scholes, United are not short of sharp-shooters. Their second came after a sublime move that saw Giggs and Macheda play a one-two before the fabulous Rooney threaded the ball to Park, who powered in a low drive.
It was the highlight of the match and underlined that gulf in quality between the two squads.
Manager Gareth Southgate brought on £13m striker Afonso Alves and Didier Digard, but neither could ignite a Boro side flattened by United's double strike.
Southgate's side have three fixtures remaining to save their season, and are three points behind fourth-from-bottom Hull, who play at Aston Villa on Monday.
They now travel to fellow strugglers Newcastle a week on Monday, 11 May, in what promises to be a tension-filled clash, knowing they will have to improve tenfold in their remaining three games if they want to stay in the division.
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate: "We've gone into the last two games against teams in the Champions League semi-finals and were looking for a miracle. To have a chance you need to take the lead.
"But we did get stuck into them early on but it is very tough mentally when you fall behind because they are so good defensively.
"The second goal killed the game but I have to give credit to my players because they never gave up.
"We have got to put this game behind us and start preparing for our next match against Newcastle, which is a huge game for both sides."
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson: "It's a big step forward with only four games left now. I keep saying you whittle the games away until there are none left.
"It was a very good performance, they all worked their socks off and once we got a hold of the ball we always looked a danger.
"Once we got in front, that was the key to it because they're a young side, Middlesbrough."
Middlesbrough: Jones, McMahon (Digard 55), Wheater, Huth, Hoyte, O'Neil (Emnes 70), Sanli, Bates, Downing, King (Alves 55), Aliadiere.Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Arca, Adam Johnson, Grounds.
Booked: Huth.
Man Utd: Foster, O'Shea, Vidic, Evans, Evra (Rafael Da Silva 78), Park (Nani 74), Scholes, Giggs, Rooney, Berbatov, Macheda (Tevez 55).Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Ronaldo, Anderson, Gibson.
Booked: Macheda.
Goals: Giggs 25, Park 51.
Att: 33,767
Ref: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)
Southgate's side have three fixtures remaining to save their season, and are three points behind fourth-from-bottom Hull, who play at Aston Villa on Monday.
They now travel to fellow strugglers Newcastle a week on Monday, 11 May, in what promises to be a tension-filled clash, knowing they will have to improve tenfold in their remaining three games if they want to stay in the division.
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate: "We've gone into the last two games against teams in the Champions League semi-finals and were looking for a miracle. To have a chance you need to take the lead.
"But we did get stuck into them early on but it is very tough mentally when you fall behind because they are so good defensively.
"The second goal killed the game but I have to give credit to my players because they never gave up.
"We have got to put this game behind us and start preparing for our next match against Newcastle, which is a huge game for both sides."
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson: "It's a big step forward with only four games left now. I keep saying you whittle the games away until there are none left.
"It was a very good performance, they all worked their socks off and once we got a hold of the ball we always looked a danger.
"Once we got in front, that was the key to it because they're a young side, Middlesbrough."
Middlesbrough: Jones, McMahon (Digard 55), Wheater, Huth, Hoyte, O'Neil (Emnes 70), Sanli, Bates, Downing, King (Alves 55), Aliadiere.Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Arca, Adam Johnson, Grounds.
Booked: Huth.
Man Utd: Foster, O'Shea, Vidic, Evans, Evra (Rafael Da Silva 78), Park (Nani 74), Scholes, Giggs, Rooney, Berbatov, Macheda (Tevez 55).Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Ronaldo, Anderson, Gibson.
Booked: Macheda.
Goals: Giggs 25, Park 51.
Att: 33,767
Ref: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)
CHELSEA 3-1 FULHAM (BBC REPORT)
Chelsea warmed up for their Champions League semi-final tie with Barcelona by comfortably seeing off west London rivals Fulham at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues made a lightning start as Nicolas Anelka bundled them ahead after 51 seconds, but Erik Nevland drilled in a leveller only three minutes later.
Florent Malouda fired Chelsea back in front from Didier Drogba's cross and then Drogba slotted home Anelka's pass.
Chelsea could have had plenty more goals after dominating throughout.
But the manner of the performance will have delighted boss Guus Hiddink, coming only four days before their crucial second leg tie at home against Barca.
Hiddink resisted the chance to rest some of his big stars with only Branislav Ivanovic and Michael Ballack making way after the 0-0 Camp Nou draw on Tuesday.
The Blues made a lightning start as Nicolas Anelka bundled them ahead after 51 seconds, but Erik Nevland drilled in a leveller only three minutes later.
Florent Malouda fired Chelsea back in front from Didier Drogba's cross and then Drogba slotted home Anelka's pass.
Chelsea could have had plenty more goals after dominating throughout.
But the manner of the performance will have delighted boss Guus Hiddink, coming only four days before their crucial second leg tie at home against Barca.
Hiddink resisted the chance to rest some of his big stars with only Branislav Ivanovic and Michael Ballack making way after the 0-0 Camp Nou draw on Tuesday.
Along with Ashley Cole, Anelka was brought back in as Hiddink sprang a major surprise by ditching his favoured 4-3-3 formation and playing 4-4-2, with Anelka and Drogba up front.
With 51 seconds on the clock, it was already looking like an inspired move.
Anelka broke with pace and fed the ball out to the left to Malouda and the winger fired over a cross that Drogba cushioned into Anelka's path for the Frenchman to prod home.
Stamford Bridge was buzzing, but Fulham had a surprise up their sleeve too and within three minutes parity had been restored.
Danny Murphy's pass from inside his own half found Alex unsuccessfully trying to play the offside trap, as Nevland latched on to the ball and ran clear of the Brazilian.
With 51 seconds on the clock, it was already looking like an inspired move.
Anelka broke with pace and fed the ball out to the left to Malouda and the winger fired over a cross that Drogba cushioned into Anelka's path for the Frenchman to prod home.
Stamford Bridge was buzzing, but Fulham had a surprise up their sleeve too and within three minutes parity had been restored.
Danny Murphy's pass from inside his own half found Alex unsuccessfully trying to play the offside trap, as Nevland latched on to the ball and ran clear of the Brazilian.
Having got into the box, Nevland drilled a low shot from a tight angle on the right that brushed the gloves of Petr Cech - who should have done better - before nestling into the far corner.
It was an electric start and Chelsea immediately set about regaining their lead, which they achieved with barely 10 minutes gone.
The same trio that fashioned the first again came up trumps as Anelka played Drogba in down the right and his cross was fired past Mark Schwarzer by the impressive Malouda.
Fulham fought to stay in the game and Nevland showed fine technique to volley narrowly over, but Chelsea's dominance increased as the game wore on.
Drogba had the ball in the net from a Frank Lampard cross only to be wrongly flagged offside, while Lampard saw his shot deflected inches wide by Zoltan Gera.
Perhaps with a nod to Wednesday's encounter, Hiddink brought off Alex and Michael Essien at the interval for Ivanovic and Ballack.
It was an electric start and Chelsea immediately set about regaining their lead, which they achieved with barely 10 minutes gone.
The same trio that fashioned the first again came up trumps as Anelka played Drogba in down the right and his cross was fired past Mark Schwarzer by the impressive Malouda.
Fulham fought to stay in the game and Nevland showed fine technique to volley narrowly over, but Chelsea's dominance increased as the game wore on.
Drogba had the ball in the net from a Frank Lampard cross only to be wrongly flagged offside, while Lampard saw his shot deflected inches wide by Zoltan Gera.
Perhaps with a nod to Wednesday's encounter, Hiddink brought off Alex and Michael Essien at the interval for Ivanovic and Ballack.
It did not take the Blues long to make the three points safe, and Anelka and Drogba were starting to really enjoy their partnership.
It was Anelka's turn to play creator as he slipped a slide-rule pass in for his colleague, Drogba seamlessly gliding past Schwarzer and tucking home number three.
From then on, it was a case of how many Chelsea wanted, such was the control they exerted over their neighbours.
Lampard had a free-kick brilliantly tipped over by Schwarzer, before Drogba poked Anelka's right-wing cross just wide.
But they had already done enough to win and in the process fired a warning shot that will have been heard all the way to Catalonia.
Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink on playing 4-4-2: "We needed the points for today, but we are always trying to look ahead as well, especially with such a big game coming up.
"We wanted to give Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba the chance to play up front together, to increase our options in the future.
"If we ever need another gear in another game we must be able to adjust, to play differently."
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson: "We made a bad start and then went 2-1 down after our defender slipped, so you're trying very hard not to concede another goal after that.
"Unfortunately they caught us on the break with a third and from then on you are just trying to avoid embarrassment.
"We thought we could come here and get a result, but we were nowhere near our best today and we paid the price."
Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Alex (Ivanovic 46), Terry, Ashley Cole, Lampard, Essien (Ballack 46), Mikel, Malouda, Anelka, Drogba (Di Santo 84).Subs Not Used: Hilario, Kalou, Belletti, Mancienne.
Goals: Anelka 1, Malouda 10, Drogba 53.
Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Dempsey, Etuhu, Murphy, Gera, Zamora (Dacourt 76), Nevland (Kamara 35).Subs Not Used: Zuberbuhler, Gray, Stoor, Baird, Smalling.
Booked: Murphy.
Goals: Nevland 4.
Att: 41,801.
Ref: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).
It was Anelka's turn to play creator as he slipped a slide-rule pass in for his colleague, Drogba seamlessly gliding past Schwarzer and tucking home number three.
From then on, it was a case of how many Chelsea wanted, such was the control they exerted over their neighbours.
Lampard had a free-kick brilliantly tipped over by Schwarzer, before Drogba poked Anelka's right-wing cross just wide.
But they had already done enough to win and in the process fired a warning shot that will have been heard all the way to Catalonia.
Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink on playing 4-4-2: "We needed the points for today, but we are always trying to look ahead as well, especially with such a big game coming up.
"We wanted to give Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba the chance to play up front together, to increase our options in the future.
"If we ever need another gear in another game we must be able to adjust, to play differently."
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson: "We made a bad start and then went 2-1 down after our defender slipped, so you're trying very hard not to concede another goal after that.
"Unfortunately they caught us on the break with a third and from then on you are just trying to avoid embarrassment.
"We thought we could come here and get a result, but we were nowhere near our best today and we paid the price."
Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Alex (Ivanovic 46), Terry, Ashley Cole, Lampard, Essien (Ballack 46), Mikel, Malouda, Anelka, Drogba (Di Santo 84).Subs Not Used: Hilario, Kalou, Belletti, Mancienne.
Goals: Anelka 1, Malouda 10, Drogba 53.
Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Dempsey, Etuhu, Murphy, Gera, Zamora (Dacourt 76), Nevland (Kamara 35).Subs Not Used: Zuberbuhler, Gray, Stoor, Baird, Smalling.
Booked: Murphy.
Goals: Nevland 4.
Att: 41,801.
Ref: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).
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