BlueLion.

We'll probably wear our white kit.

Frank Lampard's penalty saved Chelsea's blushes as they won for the first time in five games. The England midfielder stepped up when Chelsea were awarded a penalty ten minutes from time when Branislav Ivanovic was hacked down in the area. Despite missing in the recent defeat to Manchester City, Lampard was calm and composed; ruthlessly dispatching the ball past the outstanding Asmir Begovic. The hosts had gone ahead thanks to Nicolas Anelka's eighth goal of the season, but former Lyon forward Frederic Piquionne volleyed home after a fortuitous deflection from a Jamie O'Hara freekick saw the Portsmouth striker standing in front of an open goal. Ex-Chelsea manager Avram Grant was given a warm reception on his return to the club that he led to the 2008 UEFA Champions League and Carling Cup finals, and his side gave a good account of themselves in spite of seven changes made by the manager to the team that earned a point away against Sunderland. Carlo Ancelotti rung the changes himself; Alex was reinstated to the defence after a month's absence, and the injured Didier Drogba was replaced by compatriot Salomon Kalou. But Chelsea's leading scorer was barely missed in an opening period the hosts comfortably bossed. Frank Lampard and Nicolas Anelka had early efforts go wide, and Michael Ballack was just wide of the mark with a long-range effort. Chelsea were totally dominant and it was no surprise they took the lead after 23 minutes; Anelka sweeping home from close range after Alex had galloped forward from defence to join the attack. It was a fitting way for the Frenchman to cap a century of appearances for the Blues. But Chelsea, for their dominance, failed to convert the necessary second goal that would make matters more comfortable, and slipped into a mode of complacency as the half drew on. Portsmouth had a good chance to equalise when Petr Cech could only parry a well struck Piquionne shot, but Hermann Hreidarsson could not control the rebound. The Blues' lead lasted for only five minutes of the second period as the visitors drew level. A huge slice of luck was involved as O'Hara's freekick deflected straight to Piquionne, but the Frenchman's volley was sublime; comprehensively beating a stranded Cech. It did, however, again highlight Chelsea's defensive vulnerability, and is the sixth goal conceded in three home matches for the Blues. Kevin-Prince Boateng twice had chances to give Grant's team a shock lead, but was denied by brilliant diving block by Ashley Cole, and then lost his footing with the goal gaping - despite clearly being offside. The introduction of Joe Cole and Florent Malouda saw Chelsea change shape as Deco and Kalou - both noticeably quiet - were withdrawn. Switching to the tried-and-tested Chelsea formula of a 4-3-3, the Blues were suddenly reinvigorated by a driving run by Cole and then a snap-shot by the England man that went just wide. Portsmouth goalkeeper Asmir Begovic then made a stunning save to deny Tal Ben Haim's inadvertent flick towards his own goal to keep the South Coast team in the contest. Begovic, replacing the injured David James, had made a number of solid saves, but he was helpless as Chelsea took the lead from the penalty spot. With eleven minutes remaining, marauding full-back Branislav Ivanovic was fouled by Marc Wilson, and Lampard made no mistake from the spot, smashing home his seventh goal of the season with confidence. And teenage star Fabio Borini could have added to the lead after rounding Begovic following a defensive mix-up in the Portsmouth ranks, but the Italian was just wide with his angled effort. Nevertheless Chelsea hung on to record their first win in five matches, and return to winning ways in the Premier League to open up a three point lead over Manchester United. ___________________________________________________________________ Chelsea (4-1-3-2): Cech; Ivanovic, Alex, Terry ©, A Cole; Mikel; Ballack (Malouda 63), Lampard; Deco (J Cole 58); Kalou (Borini 71), Anelka Portsmouth (4-3-2-1): Begovic; Finnan, Ben-Haim, Wilson, Hreidarsson; Diop (Hughes 59), Mokoena (Utaka 85); Mullins; Boateng, O'Hara; Piquionne. The TalkChelsea.net Man of the Match was Chelsea's number 2 - Branislav Ivanovic

YESSSSSS

BORINI SO CLOSE

4 added mins

Sorry guys, but we're not beating this goalkeeper again tonight.

Shit me, so close!

I must say, we're fucking cack atm.

The way we're defending, I might as well drop the title off in Manchester when I'm up north on Saturday. Shocking.

Thank fuck; Joe Cole.

I don't understand it, we've come apart at the seems recently. Still plenty of time left, but we've been so unlucky with the goals we've conceded. Nothing's going our way defensively.

Get Malouda on ffs, we've got barely any width.

Should have scored there, Ballack.

WE ARE SO FUCKING UNLUCKY.

Working links or commentaries please?

Links anyone?

Kalou.

League-leaders Chelsea have been dealt a blow after it was revealed top-scorer Didier Drogba could miss their clash against Portsmouth. The Blues welcome Avram Grant's side to Stamford Bridge looking to record their first win in four matches, but they may have to do it without their talisman who has picked up a back injury in training. Boss Carlo Ancelotti conceded he may be without the Ivorian, and he will wait until the last minute to decide whether to gamble on the fitness of the striker. Read the whole article by clicking here. Story from Sky Sports.

Joe Cole x3 Lampard x2 Cech x2 Alex x2 Ferreira Terry Robben Duff Gudjohnsen Flo Zola My name on the rest.

In your opinion, although you must have been watching a different game to the rest of us. We played well and deserved to win the game, but like I say, that's football for you.

I think a lot of people find it easy to blame Cech for his defenders not doing their job as well.

Badboy; probably because before this season he'd only started 18 Ligue Un games for Metz and 5 for Lyon.

That's football for you.

I think Drogba has also been dedicated to Chelsea. He is a confidence player and responds to the attitudes of his manager and his supporters. When things are going right he is first to be commended by the manager and the players love him for his goal-scoring feats. When things are going against us, he is one of the scapegoats, however. He's always tried his best for us; even under Grant and Scolari. Its great that he wants to stay as long as possible, and it'll be brilliant if we can keep him for the Fulham game at home because he's put in some great performances against them in the past.

Spot on. Mourinho's labelling of Wenger as a voyeur is absolutely correct.