Chelsea 2-0 Blackburn - Much better from Chelsea.

It was a good and much needed win on Saturday against Blackburn. A game we had to win and Chelsea delivered with two goals but overall a much more dominant and impressive performance. The big guns came back into the side as Chelsea lined up with Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry (C), Cole, Essien, Ramires, Lampard, Anelka, Drogba and Malouda. Carlo reverting back to his best 11 players available from the side that beat Ipswich.

Chelsea started off well which was encouraging and Ramires smacked the bar on 2 minutes. So close to his first goal for Chelsea and a sign that he is getting used to the way we play and finds himself much more involved going forward.

We were playing with urgency and we dominating possession of the ball which again was better. On 18 minutes Essien headed wide and Drogba shot over the bar shortly after but the signs were encouraging. Blackburn had lined up quite defensive and were looking to remain compact but gradually Chelsea were finding their way through.

Just after the half hour Drogba had another chance as he looked to be through on goal but his touch let him down and allowed the defender to clear the ball when knowing just how good Didier is in those positions when he is confident and scoring goals, you would have expected him to score.

Blackburn then forced Cech into a save low down from Hoilett which was totally against the run of play. It was a good save from Cech. Anelka then fired wide, Lampard headed the ball over the bar under pressure from the defender as Chelsea once again grabbed a foothold on the game.

Then the best chance of the game came for Anelka. Didier Drogba drifted out wide right and the ball was played out to him, he played a fantastic cross towards the near post and Anelka onto it like a flash ahead of his defender, managed to get a touch on the ball but it was too much as the ball flicked up and hit the crossbar and rebounded clear. A great finish to the half from Chelsea with Anelka just centimetres away from making it 1-0 at the break.

Chelsea took to the second half and carried on where they left off. Anelka had the first chance of the half but fired just wide from 18 yards. Chelsea were once again well in control of the game with Blackburn dropping deeper and deeper. You felt it would only be a matter of time..

Chelsea took the lead from a corner. Malouda's corner was met at the near post around 12 yards from goal by JT. His header was well off target but found Ivanovic just outside the far post 6 yards out. He managed to control the ball, take a touch and hit a shot on the swivel that caught Salgado and Robinson on the line by surprise, Robinson couldn't get down to the shot in time and the ball found it's way into the net. Good finish from the big man.

With that you knew Blackburn would have to come out and change their approach to the game but offered very little. Chelsea were playing with their swagger once again and forced more chances. The first was a half chance for JT who's awareness of his position within the Blackburn box nearly paid off. Up for a corner half cleared, the ball came out to Lampard just outside the box. Lampard shaped up to half volley the ball towards the near post but miss-hit his attempt however, JT alive to the situation about 6 yards outside the near post, headed the ball back across goal towards the far post and the ball went inches wide.

Didier Drogba then was next up to miss one. A poor back pass saw Drogba onto it and as he moved closer to the box, Robinson came off his line and Drogba's shot was blocked. Again, you would have put money on Drogba to score.

From the corner that followed Chelsea made it 2-0 from a second set piece. Malouda's corner was met by Ivanovic and he header goal wards was flicked past Robinson from close range by Anelka!. 2-0 Chelsea and we knew then it was game over.

Chelsea saw out game making use of the subs on the bench. Kalou came on for Anelka, McEachran came on for Essien and Sturridge came on for Malouda. All of them looked hungry with young Josh knocking the ball about with ease.

Drogba fired over the bar and Sturridge looking to follow on from his goalscoring exploits rushed a couple of half chances and fired wide.

It was easy for Chelsea in the end but a really important three points after the result between United and Spurs yesterday.

For me it looks as though we have turned a corner as the overall performance was much much better. Our passing overall was better and the urgency in the game also had improved. Let's hope we can build on this next Monday night at Bolton.

Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, JT (c) Cole; Ramires, Essien (McEachran 79), Lampard, Anelka (Kalou 79), Drogba, Malouda (Sturridge 86).
Unused subs Turnbull, Ferreira, Bruma, Mikel.
Scorers Ivanovic 56, Anelka 76.
Booked Malouda 48.

Blackburn (4-2-3-1): Robinson; Salgado, Samba (c), Nelsen, Givet; Dunn (Lowe 23), Pedersen; MB Diouf, Hoilett (Roberts 67), Olsson; Kalinic (Santa Cruz h-t).
Unused subs: Bunn, Hanley, EH Diouf, Benjani,


Crowd 40,846.
(Stats Source: Chelseafc.com)

KTBFFH