IMPACT!!!

By Since66
November 6 2011

I don't normally like International breaks (this break is the third since season 2011/12 began), but I welcome this one purely to get over all of the 'heart attack' moments that Chelsea have produced since the 5-1 away win at Bolton back at the beginning of October.

When you break down Chelsea's record in those last seven games (in all competions), Chelsea have won four, drawn one and lost two.

Two of the wins have been in the League and the defeats have also been in the League and I think the two League defeats have swayed everybody's opinion that the club is in crisis!!

I still think that there is something fundamentally wrong at Cobham although AvB attempted to address problem areas yesterday at Ewood Park by moving Ivanovic back out to right-back and bringing back Alex to partner our 'One England Captain' in the centre of defence.

AvB also dropped Torres to the bench and introduced Danny Sturridge up front, to play through the middle.

The tactic didn't come off too well as AvB explains.

He said, "We thought we could make the most of Sturridge's speed in behind their defence, but we couldn't release him in the first half apart from one moment when he escaped Samba and they collided in the box.

"In the second-half we decided to put him in the channels and he played very well."

Chelsea's goal came five minutes into the second-half when Ivanovic, out on Chelsea's right, sent in a cross with the outside of his boot (similar to the cross in Genk on Tuesday night) that landed plum on to the head of the diving Super Frank, beat Robinson low down to his left-hand side.

Substitute Torres should have wrapped things up at the end but inexplicably he sent his close range effort over the bar.

Petr Cech had been heavily criticised for his performance in the 5-3 debacle against Arsenal last weekend, including from me, but I have to hold my hands up this morning and say Cech's performance was heroic despite playing with a broken nose after being clattered accidently by the defending Ashley Cole.

Cech made some brilliant saves including a double save, first from a Pedersen free-kick and then with his legs saving from Hanley's follow-up.

Cech then saved again from Yakubu as Terry and Alex got into communication difficulties leaving the 'Yak' one-on-one and when Cech was finally beaten, Ramires was there to clear off the line.

Almost at the death, Blackburn thought they had equalised when a Givet header via Ivanovic's head hit the woodwork.

Chelsea's welcomed clean sheet was their first since the opening day 0-0 draw at Stoke City back in August.

Blackburn: Robinson, Lowe, Samba (c) (Hanley 45), Givet, Olsson, Nzonzi, Pedersen, Rochina (Dunn 71), Formica, Hoilett, Yakubu

Booked: Lowe 54, Hanley 69, Givet 75, Pedersen 78

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Alex, Terry (c), Cole, Ramires (Romeu 90), Mikel, Lampard, Malouda (Torres h/t), Sturridge, Mata (Meireles 82)

Goal: Lampard 50

Booked: Sturridge 75

NEXT UP: Liverpool (h), Sunday 20/11/11, kick-off 4pm

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