30 October 2006, by Mark Simpson

Portuguese shine in Chelsea stroll

Sheffield United 0-2 Chelsea

Frank Lampard the creator and Frank Lampard the goalscorer were the difference between the two sides with differing ambitions that met at Bramall Lane.

Sheffield United might just be happy to survive in the Premiership this season but Chelsea have much higher aims, although that was not easy to tell in the opening half hour of this Premiership encounter.

Hilario kept his place between the sticks for the fourth game on the trot, with compatriots Ferreira and Carvalho lending the defence a very Portuguese outlook.

A tight opening produced few chances for either team. Sheffield United had a strong appeal for a penalty turned down when Carvalho appeared to hold back Rob Hulse. Moments later the referee decided he might have got the first decision wrong and awarded United a penalty for a tangle between Drogba and Davis.

Danny Webber stepped up and looked entirely uncomfortable. His shot was on target but weakly struck and comfortably saved by new cult-hero Hilario.

Ferreira penalty appeal

Chelsea should have had a penalty up the other end moments later when Ferreira went on a burst, broke into the box and was shoved off the ball and the pitch by the defender, but the referee was a long way behind play and waved away the appeal.

Chelsea finally got into gear towards the end of the half and a swerving Lampard free kick from outside the box totally bamboozled the goalkeeper and gave Chelsea the lead.

As Chelsea have done so often this season they started the second half with a goal and a fine move it was too. Robben, teasing defenders on the left wing, spotted Lampard speed past him and laid the ball between the defenders for Lampard to cross. Ballack rose above everyone at the back post and planted his header past Kenny to finish the match as a contest.

With a trip to Barcelona coming up midweek, Chelsea took their foot off the gas. Substitutions were made, the ball was passed between the experienced professionals in blue and the game was seen out and three points gained.

Manchester United also won and Arsenal could only muster a draw at home to Everton, leaving the two big guns Chelsea and Manchester United locked together at the top five points clear of the chasing pack.

Sheffield United:
Kenny, Bromby (Kozluk 65), Davis, Armstrong, Leigertwood, Jageilka, Quinn, Tonge (Montgomery 7), Gillespie (Kabba 67), Hulse, Webber

Chelsea:
Hilario, Ferreira, Terry, Carvalho, Bridge, Essien, Ballack, Lampard, Cole (Wright-Phillips 67), Drogba (Kalou 46), Robben (Makelele 83)

Goals:
[0-1] Lampard, 43
[0-2] Ballack, 49