29 August 2006, by Mark Simpson

Efficient Chelsea back on track with victory at Blackburn

Blackburn 0-2 Chelsea

A workmanlike Chelsea performance and goals from Lampard and Drogba in the second half gave the champions a much needed victory, albeit not playing at their best.

A couple of surprises in the Chelsea line up saw a welcome return for Petr Cech in goal, and a debut for new boy Boulahrouz at right back in place of Paulo Ferreira who has had a rather shaky start to the season.

There were also starts for Michael Ballack and Salamon Kalou, who partnered Andriy Shevchenko in attack instead of Didier Drogba.

Benni McCarthy played against his former Porto manager in attack for Blackburn.

An extremely disjointed first half from Chelsea led to few moments of excitement at either end. Blackburn were efficient at closing down space but lacklustre in attack.

Just three minutes into the second half Chelsea were awarded a penalty after Blackburn debutant Ooijer wrestled Chelsea captain John Terry to the floor at a free kick. Up stood Frank Lampard to slot the ball home and give Chelsea the lead.

Blackburn could have equalised soon after when a fine bit of anticipation, control and a quick shot from inside the box from McCarthy was matched by the save of Cech.

With nine minutes to go and after coming off the bench Drogba found himself chasing on to a through ball. Ooijer again did his level best to drag another Chelsea man to the floor but Drogba kept his feet and his head to blast home the second goal for Chelsea.

There was remarkably still time to see a break from a corner all the way up to the Blackburn box, with Makelele squaring the ball to Carvalho, but nothing was to come from the two defensive players’ rampage up front.

A welcome three points for Chelsea against a Blackburn side that certainly troubled them but never had the ammunition to carry through the threats.

Blackburn:
Friedel, Emerton, Ooijer, Khizanishvilli, Neill, Bentley, Reid, Savage, Perdersen (Gallagher 69), McCarthy, Roberts

Chelsea:
Cech, Boulahrouz, Carvalho, Terry, Bridge, Makelele (Mikel 89), Essien, Ballack, Lampard, Kalou (Drogba 57), Shevchenko (Wright-Phillips 83)

Goals:
[0-1] Lampard, 48 (pen)
[0-2] Drogba, 81