No pen problem for Ballack

Midfielder dedicates win to Lampard

Last updated: 26th April 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

No pen problem for Ballack

Ballack: Winning penalty

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Michael Ballack admits he had no qualms in accepting the chance to earn Chelsea a priceless win over Manchester United.

The Blues were struggling to conjure up a winner at Stamford Bridge after Ballack's first-half header had been cancelled out by Wayne Rooney.

But, with six minutes remaining, Chelsea were awarded a penalty after Michael Essien's cross from the right struck Michael Carrick's arm.

With regular penalty taker Frank Lampard absent following the death of his mother, Ballack took on the responsibility to score from 12 yards.

The German sent Edwin van der Sar the wrong way from the spot and he was happy to step up to the plate to secure a 2-1 success.

"It's always in big games in the end you have to score and, for me, it's no problem," Ballack told Sky Sports 1.

"I can handle the pressure. It's always a good situation if you're under pressure. I like this."

Difficult time

Ballack also dedicated the victory, which moved Chelsea level on points with United at the top of the table, to the absent Lampard.

He added: "I have to say the victory is for Frank and his family. We don't forget.

"It's a difficult time for everybody, especially for his family. It was a day for him today."

The former Bayern Munich midfielder also played down a row with team-mate Didier Drogba after the duo quarrelled over who would take a second-half free-kick.

"After the game it is fine," continued Ballack. "It can happen during the game.

"Everybody wants to win, he, me and everybody. It's a great victory for the team, so it's not important."