Chelsea 2-0 Blackburn: It's About Time!
Ivanovic
By Since66
January 16 2011
Two successive clean sheets, two successive victories and nine goals scored. Are Chelsea on their way back? Cole and Bosingwa bombing down the flanks regularly and consistently - something we haven't seen in quite a while. Are Chelsea on their way back?
Ancelotti seems to think so.
He said, "If I have to judge the performance today, it was good we started well and could have scored before the first goal in the first half.
"Our play was good, more intensity, more quality and we have to happy for this but we have to check the next game. We will play away so it will be more difficult."
I thought it was an enjoyable game, but a strange game in its context. Although Chelsea dominated possession, it was Blackburn who had the clearer chances in the first-half.
Cech saved well from a Pedersen shot and he did brilliantly to foil Hoilett and from the rebound JT blocked, hurting his leg in the process. JT being JT got up and soldiered on for the remaining minutes of the half.
The tide was to turn in the second-half. Anelka hit the bar, Robinson was called into action more and it was two rather scruffy goals that won the game.
The first, from a Malouda corner, the ball found its way to Ivanovic who quickly turned and scuffed a shot under the outstretched arm of Robinson.
The second goal twenty minutes later was conceived after Drogba intercepted an underhit back-pass. Robinson saved his effort and from the resulting Malouda corner, Ivanovic rose highest to nod down for Anelka to get the slightest touch and make the result safe.
Pure relief for Drogba no doubt.
Ramires is improving with every game. He is beginning to shake up the midfield with his non-stop running, energy and getting his tackles in. He even hit the bar in the first-half, but the flag was raised for offside.
Yesterday was one of those games where no individual stood out, nor did anyone have a bad game.
Apart from the goals, the biggest cheer of the afternoon was reserved for young Josh when he came on for the struggling Essien with ten minutes remaining.
Not a bad accolade for someone so young - and it is about time!
Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry (c), Cole, Ramires, Essien (McEachran 79), Lampard, Anelka (Kalou 79), Drogba, Malouda (Sturridge 86)
Goals: Ivanovic 56, Anelka 76
Booked: Malouda 48
Blackburn: Robinson, Salgado, Samba (c), Nelsen, Givet, Dunn (Lowe 23), Pedersen, MB Diouf, Hoilett (Roberts 67), Olsson, Kalinic (Santa Cruz h/t)
NEXT UP: Bolton (a) Monday 24th Jan, kick-off 8pm
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Blackburn were VERY organised and made it very difficult for us - so an extra mark for us there as well.
Good to see Josh get his little cameo at the end - would have liked to see him come on much earlier though.
"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.