Ivanovic heads Chelsea to 2-1 victory over Villa
LONDON, England (AP) — Branislav Ivanovic’s second-half header gave Chelsea a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa moments after he avoided a red card in a fiery second match of the Premier League season yesterday.
The right back was only booked for elbowing Christian Benteke in the head, and then sent Frank Lampard’s free kick into the net in the 73rd minute.
Chelsea fortuitously went in front after seven minutes when the ball inadvertently bounced off Antonio Luna into his own net.
Although Chelsea faded, allowing Benteke to level in first-half stoppage time, Villa couldn’t find the net again and replicate their surprise victory at Arsenal on Saturday.
Instead, Ivanovic ensured Jose Mourinho’s second spell at Stamford Bridge has started with back-to-back league wins.
