English FA Premiership/ Chelsea 1 Middlesbrough 0: When Martin Jol talks about the sort of elite footballer who gives a team another dimension, he is likely to refer to Arjen Robben. The Spurs manager presumably does so because he thinks that the winger might just be obtainable. In view of Saturday's match at Stamford Bridge, however, he had better not get his hopes up.
Chelsea may have limitless means but they still cannot afford to lose Robben. The nimbleness, grace and change of pace make him potentially as great a contributor to the side as Frank Lampard or John Terry. Middlesbrough put the regulation pair of players in front of the Dutchman but they were soon left behind.
In the 16th minute Robben made his escape by veering through the space between George Boateng and the teenager Matthew Bates before missing with a drive aimed for the top corner. Just before the interval, the forward made an orthodox run on the outside to pull back the low ball that Lampard blazed wide.
This was Robben's first outing since he was hurt during the defeat at Real Betis on November 1st. His absences have threatened to be as much a matter of discussion as his appearances. So far as the latest problem is concerned, all leave seems to have been cancelled for the medical team. The concentration on Robben appears to have been rewarded and he lasted 75 highly worthwhile minutes at the weekend, but what exactly was the cause of the pain in the first place?
"There could be a lot of reasons and not one in particular," said Robben. "I had to work on a lot of things and strengthen my left leg and my hamstrings. I also had to work on my back. When it went, it was the third time this season. That was enough. We said we had to sort everything out before I started playing again."
There were overtones of impatience to Mourinho's rejoicing. "It is early December and so far he has given us very little this season. A player like him has to give us a lot. We have been waiting for him. Now he's back we know what he can give us. He will give us points and victories."
The relationship between the two men has been a topic of speculation. When Mourinho praised Damien Duff's quick recovery from knee surgery, some interpreted the pat on the back for the Irishman as a clip round the ear for a Dutchman. But Robben is is adamant all is harmonious at Stamford Bridge.
"I have a good relationship with the manager," he said. "I'm very happy at Chelsea and I will stay here for a long time. I've never been put under pressure over the injury. Now I feel good. There is nothing else going on."
Chelsea meet Liverpool in the Champions League tomorrow, but with both sides already qualified Robben's selection is not essential. Saturday's match counted for more and, with Chelsea generally humdrum, Middlesbrough could have drawn. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink should even have put Middlesbrough in front but slipped as a deflection off Terry ran to him in the 14th minute and shot against the post.
Steve McClaren might have seen his side complete five matches in 14 days undefeated but Middlesbrough were pinned back in defence for long spells. Despite Gareth Southgate's excellence they couldn't hold out.
A susceptibility to aerial power was eventually exploited with Terry's crucial first Premiership goal of the season. He met Duff's 62nd-minute corner and Fabio Rochemback failed to block the header on the line.
* Guardian Service
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