Didier Drogba

LONDON: Hero Didier Drogba insists the whole Chelsea squad are behind John Terry after inspiring them to a 2-0 win over Arsenal at Stamford Bridge this morning.

The Blues’ scorer fired Chelsea back to the top of the table over champions Manchester United via a first half brace as Terry put his off-field problems behind him to put in a commanding performance.

Terry was stripped of the England captaincy in a meeting with England boss Fabio Capello last Friday following allegations of an affair with Vanessa Perroncel — the former girlfriend of his international teammate Wayne Bridge. Drogba admitted it had been a tough week for Chelsea but he stressed Terry had the players’ full support.

“It has been a difficult week for us, for Chelsea, for all the club,” Drogba told Sky Sports. “We tried to stay together and focus on the game. It is a matter of time but we will stick together and keep looking forward. We offered Terry as much support as we can. The best thing for him is to play. All his team-mates have to do everything for him.”

With this defeat, Arsenal are now nine points off the pace. And Drogba admitted the win was more important than his two goals.

“The most important thing is we are top of the league,” he said. Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti also paid tribute to Terry who helped them to a clean sheet and also helped set up Drogba’s opening goal in the eighth minute.

“Terry is the perfect captain for Chelsea. My captain has a fantastic attitude. He is doing very well in every game,” said the Italian.

“It is very important for the team to have this leadership. He was always in control of the game. He has a strong mentality.

“He is working for his club and we are happy to have this performance from him in this moment.

“The England captaincy was not my decision and I do not want to judge about this decision. I knew Terry met Capello but I did not meet with him (Terry) afterwards.”

Ancelotti, at the same time, refused to rule Arsenal out of the title race.

“Arsenal still have a possibility because they are a good team. It depends on the performances of United and Chelsea. I am not sure it will be a race with two horses,” said the Italian.

Ancelotti also singled out Drogba hailing the form of his striker, who has now scored three goals in two games since he returned from the African Cup of Nations. Drogba’s brace took his tally in the league thus far to 17 goals.

“We scored an unbelievable second goal,” said Ancelotti. “It was fantastic movement, fantastic passing and a fantastic shot from Didier. This is football.

“He did very well and he is in a good moment. He came back from Africa with fantastic motivation and continues to have very good performances.”

Chelsea’s next match will be against Everton away on Thursday (4am). Their chances of winning this tough match are better if Drogba and Terry can maintain their form.