Drogba injury fright as Fabregas ensures Chelsea overturn deficit
RETURNING striker Didier Drogba limped out of Chelsea’s friendly victory over Hungarian side Ferencvaros in Budapest last night and could be a doubt for the start of the new Premier League season.
With Real Sociedad next up for Jose Mourinho’s side on Tuesday ahead of a campaign opener at top-flight new boys Burnley, strikes from Ramires and Cesc Fabregas saw Chelsea overturn a half-time deficit to claim a 2-1 success.
Former Fulham forward Zoltan Gera opened the scoring for the hosts before Drogba was forced off with an ankle injury.
Mourinho made wholesale changes at the break although first-half survivor Ramires restored parity early in the second period with a volley into the top corner.
Ex-Arsenal midfielder Fabregas proved the match-winner as the 27-year-old sealed the win with a late individual strike.
Croatian defender Dejan Lovren introduced himself to the Anfield faithful with a goal as last season’s Premier League runners-up finished their pre-season programme with a flourish after dismantling German side Borussia Dortmund 4-0.
Striker Daniel Sturridge began the rout before debutant Lovren, a £20m signing from Southampton, doubled the lead as Phillipe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson also found the net.
France World Cup star Moussa Sissoko struck a late winner as Newcastle United also ended their pre-season on a high with a 1-0 win over Spanish outfit Real Sociedad at St James’ Park.