Rovers Beaten at the Bridge

Goals from Ivanovic and Anelka helped restore the defending premiers confidence and provided Chelsea with a vital win, defeating the travelling Blackburn outfit, 2-0.

Blackburn set out with an attacking formation,

Robinson
Salgado
Nelsen
Samba
Givet
Dunn
Olsson
Pedersen
Hoilett
Kalinic
Mame Diouf

It was a game of few chances for Rovers, with Chelsea superior in most aspects on the field. Blackburn just could not maintain any form of continuous pressure, with the Rovers attack limited to counter-attacks and the misguided passes from the Chelsea midfield.

Chelsea on the otherhand, were not clinical. The passing was not on song, whilst they also managed to spray several attempts wide of goal.

The home outfit had the best of the early chances. A miscleared header should of been dealt with by Hoillet, who must of been twiddeling his fingers, Ramires pouncing and striking his volley into the crossbar. Minutes later, Drogba was released, however Givet was on hand to make a desperate lunging tackle.

Rovers did have a fast counterattack in the form of Hoillet and MB Diouf. And it was the first who threatened, stealing the ball then darting towards the goal, forcing Petr Cech into a fine save. However Rovers chances were far and few between, as Chelsea continued to pressure. Drogba and Essien tried from range with no luck.

Blackburn were forced into an early change, David Dunn making way for Jason Lowe. Chelsea continued the pressure with Anelka striking the post and Lampard heading over from point blank range, failing to take their changes into the half time break

0-0

Kalinic made way for Roque Santa Cruz

A slower start to the half, but Chelsea finally got the opener 15 minutes in. A corner was headed by John Terry, Pedersen failing to clear and the ball bouncing into the path of Ivanovic. He managed to somehow trickle a shot past the legs of Nelsen and Salgado, too late for Robinson to make a save, 1-0 Chelsea

Terry should of made it 2, but his delicate header following a misdirected Lampard volley trickled wide of the goal. Lampard then tried to chip Robinson, but with no avail.

Hoillet off for Roberts

Samba then sliced 2 mill of his transfer value with a horrible backpass. Drogba pounced, but Robinson was up to the task, stopping the Ivorians shot.

Chelsea werent to be denied minutes later, again from a corner. The ball was miscleared, with Ivanovic heading back into the box. Anelka managed to flick the ball, a deft touch, into the net. 2-0

Ancelotti’s men pushed for a third, but weren’t up to their clinical best….

2-0 Full time