Chelsea 1
Ballack 32
Reading 0
Chelsea 1 Reading 0 January 30 2008
Michael Ballack's first-half goal gave Chelsea a 1-0 home win over Reading on Wednesday, keeping them in touch with the Premier League leaders.
Ballack headed home a cross from Paulo Ferreira in the 33rd minute as Chelsea equalled a club record of nine successive wins in all competitions.
The previous record was set in Joe Mourinho's tenure two years ago and the victory also made it 75 consecutive league games unbeaten at Stamford Bridge.
Royals keeper Marcus Hahnemann made good saves from Ballack, Joe Cole and Shaun Wright-Phillips early on, before John Oster had to clear off the line.
After Ballack had made the breakthrough from six yards, another Chelsea chance fell to Wright-Phillips on 50 minutes but again Hahnemann foiled him.
Nicolas Anelka went close with a header, and James Harper and Ballack went close at either end late on.