Outstanding

By Since66
October 31 2010

A combination of woeful finishing by Rovers, brilliant saves from Petr Cech and clinical finishing by Anelka and a powerful later header by Branislav Ivanovic, his first Chelsea League goal and his first since his 'Corrupt Cup' double at Anfield, gave the Champions and Double winners an unlikely win at Ewood Park yesterday afternoon.

Unlikely in that, had Rovers taken their chances, the Blues would have travelled back to London with their tails firmly rammed between their legs.

Rovers took the lead when Benjani scored from close range after Chelsea's shoddy defence allowed him to 'ghost' in at the far post unmarked from a Diouf cross.

At the point that Chelsea equalised, six minutes from half-time, when Anelka swept home from a Drogba headed assist, Chelsea slowly started to get back into the game.

Chelsea were better in the second-half, but a glaring miss from Rovers' Roberts ten minutes from time summed up their indequacies in front of goal. Making space for himself inside the area, all he had to do was put the ball in the net.

Instead he placed the ball wide of the post.

From an excellent and improving Zhirkov cross, Ivanovic smacked in a header past Paul Robinson and in front of the travelling faithful who witnessed the ultimate Chelsea 'smash and grab.'

Zhirkov was singled out for special praise by the Boss 'Anco.'

He said, "With the fantastic play of Zhirkov we were able to win the game. I said when he scored the goal against Spartak in the Champions League it improved his confidence. He is playing continously and so he is showing good football.

"He is working for the team, had an assist against Wolves at home and an assist today, he is a very efficient player. He has a future, we have trust in him, last season he was ready when he substituted Ashley Cole to the end of the season."

Even in defeat, the giant of a man that Allardyce is, was beaming in praise for Zhirkov's contribution to Ivanovic's winner.

He said, "Look at the ball for Ivanovic's goal, it's an outstanding ball to the far post in a tight area, he's on the half-turn and looks like he can't get the cross in but he drops it to the far post and Ivanovic's head.

"It's a super, super ball."


Blackburn Rovers: Robinson, Salgado, Samba (c), Nelsen, Givet (Olsson 34), M Diouf, Emerton, Jones, Pedersen, E Diouf (Dunn 79), Benjani (Roberts h/t)

Goal: Benjani 21
Booked: Salgado 32, Nelsen 81


Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Alex, Terry (c), Cole, Essien, Mikel, Zhirkov, Anelka (Ferreira 90+2), Drogba, Malouda (Sturridge 71)

Goals: Anelka 39, Ivanovic 82
Booked: Drogba 65, Ivanovic 79


NEXT UP FOR THE DOUBLE WINNERS: Spartak Moscow, 'Corrupt Cup,' Stamford Bridge, Weds 3/11/10, kick-off 7.45pm

Rovers 1-2 Chelsea: Rovers Wasteful, Chelsea Clinical

Discussion started by 50 Years Over 100 Years , 31/10/2010 19:38

50 Years Over 100 Years
31/10/2010 19:38

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PKGooner
02/11/2010 16:10

Are CL games included in your season ticket in the form of 'cup games'? Like our lot get 7 cup games with their season tickets

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Since 66
03/11/2010 16:59

No cup games are included



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