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Status: It's just rock and roll
Posted: 24 October 2009 - 10:09 PM
Saturday 24 October 2009, the FA Premier League, Stamford Bridge, West LondonChelsea threw down the gauntlet to their title rivals with a stunning demolition of Sam Allardyce's Blackburn Rovers.
The Blues, determined to bounce back from their Premier League disappointment at Villa Park seven days earlier, were fantastic and manager Carlo Ancelotti was able to sit back and relax and admire the attacking qualities of his Chelsea side. Just days after hammering Spanish giants Atletico de Madrid by a handsome margin, the Blues continued their hot run of goalscoring form with another fine victory that puts them back at the top of the table until Sunday lunchtime at least.
Tomorrow sees the clash of two of the Premier League's fiercest enemies; Liverpool and Manchester United. Anything other than three points for the defending Champions will ensure Chelsea's lead in first position - but the destruction of one of only four teams to have lifted the Premier League trophy will no doubt have struck fear into the Blues' northern rivals.
'It was a pleasure to watch,' uttered manager Ancelotti. The Italian manager, who returned home to Italy to care for his sick father just hours before the early evening kick off on a mild October day in West London, sung the praises of all his players, but none less than Joe Cole, who was making his first Premier League appearance since January. 'A genius. He played very well,' suggested the former AC Milan coach. 'It is not easy to come back and play so well.'
The result is Chelsea's biggest ever victory over the Lancastrian side, and also Rovers' first-ever defeat by a five-goal haul under Sam Allardyce. The ex-Bolton and Newcastle manager was quick to praise Chelsea but slammed his own team, in particular a shaky-looking defence that buckled under the pressure of Chelsea's 'outstanding attack.' Paulo Ferreira, a second half substitute, made his 100th Premier League appearance for the club, and young Dutch defender Jeffrey Bruma made his first ever first-team outing, joined by Daniel Sturridge, who made his home League bow in front of 40,000 jovial Blues supporters.
It must also be noted the victory was achieved without both first-choice full-backs; Ashley Cole received stitches for a wound suffered in the 4-0 mauling of Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, and José Bosingwa was still feeling the ill effects of a Gabriel Agbonlahor challenge against Aston Villa. Branislav Ivanovic therefore retained his place in the starting line-up, replacing the injured Cole, whilst Juliano Belletti switched flanks to operate at left-back. There was a recall for Ricardo Carvalho and Didier Drogba replaced two-goal Salomon Kalou, whilst Deco lost his place to Joe Cole at the tip of the diamond.
And it was the diminutive figure of the England international who had the first chance to open the scoring; after just 32 seconds, Chelsea's number 10 headed wide from a Frank Lampard cross when he should have at least hit the target. It was a miss, but a sharper and match-fit Joe Cole will soon be burying such chances with ease. There was an air of anticipation amongst the crowd; the early chance had offered a lot of encouragement to the noisy home support.
Lampard then drove goalwards with a stinging effort that evaded the top corner by a matter of mere inches, as the Chelsea vice-captain looked to continue his goalscoring form after finding the net for the first time in ten matches in midweek. Michael Essien had an effort that flew narrowly over from around 30 yards, and Nicolas Anelka flashed a shot into the side netting after making himself a yard of shooting space with a lightning quick shimmy and strike. Lampard then went close with a header that went just wide of the post.
The Blues were almost camped inside the Blackburn half, and the home crowd were treated to some exceptional football. Blackburn were not without their chances themselves, however, and though they mustered only six shots all game, with the scores level, Jason Roberts had an excellent opportunity to set up Norwegian midfielder Morten Gamst Pederson, but the execution of the strike from the Blackburn winger was wide of the mark.
It was no surprise when the hosts took the lead, with the goal being created through some exceptional attacking play. Michael Ballack slipped a sublime pass into Nicolas Anelka, whose tantalising cross into the danger zone was poked into his own goal by French defender Gael Givet. It was unfortunate for the former Marseille player, but was no less than Chelsea deserved.
The Blues could - and perhaps should - have had a greater lead at the interval, but some magnificent goalkeeping from Paul Robinson kept Chelsea to a slender lead. The former Tottenham man excelled to race off his line and superbly smother an Anelka effort after some beautiful build up play from Cole and the ever-involved Lampard, before producing a smart parry to deny Drogba from distance.
The best save of the half came with just seconds remaining, as he instinctively dived to his left to foil John Terry's best efforts to extend the lead. The ball fell to Chelsea's captain and a sharp finish pulled out a magnificent one-handed save from the Blackburn goalkeeper. The subsequent corner was again blocked by the England international.
The second half, only minutes old, was greeted with an electric start as Chelsea increased their advantage. Drogba used to frame to roll the ball beyond Martin Olsson, before squaring the ball. One cruel ricochet later and the ball was met by the right boot of Frank Lampard, who stroked home his first Premier League goal since August.
It was that moment that all Blackburn's confidence simply evaporated. Their defence crumbled and even their best attempts at manning the barricades and performing a rearguard action ended with Chelsea expressed their attacking qualities by demonstrating the weaknesses of their opponents. The floodgates had well and truly opened, and there were no surprised faces inside Stamford Bridge when the Blues took a handsome 3-0 lead through Michael Essien.
Allardyce's men had been firmly up against the ropes when the Ghanaian hammered home a stunning first goal since May; unleashing a right-footed pile-driver that left Robinson grasping at nothing but air. In truth it was poor positioning by the Blackburn goalkeeper, whose feet appeared rooted prior to his hapless dive. Take nothing away from Essien's strike, however - the pace, spin and dip of the shot was of irresistible quality.
Lampard then made it three goals in two matches from the penalty spot after Ryan Nelsen fouled Drogba inside the area as he looked to turn. The England midfielder's spot kick was expertly-dispatched, giving Robinson no chance as he sent the ball one way and the goalkeeper the other. Chelsea were rampant and shots were coming in from all angles; Essien shot wide and so did Ballack, before Anelka had a shot stopped by Robinson's body.
But the Blackburn keeper was left frustrated as Drogba powered home a header from a Lampard corner to complete the rout, and at the other end, some heroic defending from John Terry preserved the clean sheet as he headed the ball out of the Shed End goalmouth.
The final act saw Cole replaced to a standing ovation, whilst Ferreira, Sturridge and Bruma all made their first Premier League appearances at Stamford Bridge this term; Bruma also making his first appearance in the Chelsea first-team. A more-than-satisfactory result accompanied a brilliant attacking performance - are you watching Manchester and Merseyside?
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Chelsea (4-2-1-1-2): Cech; Belletti (Ferreira 60), Carvalho (Bruma 66), Terry ©, Ivanovic; Essien; Ballack, Lampard; J Cole (Sturridge 76); Anelka, Drogba
Blackburn (4-1-4-1): Robinson; Jacobsen (Salgado 59), Givet, Nelsen ©, Olsson; N'Zonzi; Diouf, Andrews, Emerton, Pedersen (Hoilett 68); Roberts (Kalinic 51)
The TalkChelsea.net Man of the Match was Chelsea's number 10 - Joe Cole
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He was only responding to someones request, not everyone can get to the game and some people do have to work at the weekends. If I hadn't have seen the match and had heard the result I would have been intrgiued to know what went on. It's not everyday that we score 5-0 
