All the pre match focus was on the handshake/non handshake issue between Wayne Bridge and John Terry. Craig Bellamy sneered his way past, Terry doing well not to kick his head in. Bridge, as usual, was dignified as he looked Terry in the eye and passed him by, ignoring the outstretched hand of the Chelsea captain. The booing of our former left back bordered on inexplicable.

It was a drab start to the match itself as neither side showed any real attacking impetus. A sweetly struck long range effort from Florent Malouda went close, whilst Lampard had a shot blocked from a free kick.

Ten minutes before half time, Drogba shot over when many expected him to score. Frank Lampard’s scuffed volley fell invitingly for the Ivorian, but he snatched at the first time effort with his left foot, sending it over.

Somehow, there would be two goals before the end of the first half. The first was scored by Lampard, firing past Given after a Joe Cole through ball. The second was a City equaliser, Tevez jinking past Terry and Carvalho and scuffing a finish past stand in keeper Hilario.

Bellamy scored from a tight angle early in the second half to make it 2-1. He easily outpaced John Obi Mikel and with Ivanovic nowhere to be seen, bore down on goal. Hilario was powerless to stop the excellent finish from a tight angle

Belletti was sent on for the terribly disappointing Mikel, and Sturridge for the likewise disappointing Joe Cole. However, Belletti was sent off for clipping the heels of Barry in the penalty area, somewhat harmlessly. Tevez buried the penalty to make it 3-1.

Ballack had already been booked, but he too was dismissed for hacking the Argentine forward on half way. Down to nine men, the Manchester City substitute Shaun Wright-Phillips broke down the right, before squaring to Bellamy to tap home his second.

Amongst all this, Bridge was substituted with an injury, to the applause of the City fans and a smattering of Chelsea fans. Those who treated him otherwise were a disgrace to our football club.

Lampard added a touch of respectability to the scoreline with a well taken penalty after Anelka was brought down by Barry.

However, Bridge and City were more than good enough to take the spoils and move into fourth, whilst Chelsea now have a solitary point separating themselves from the chasing pack.

Chelsea (4-3-2-1): Hilario; Ivanovic, Carvalho (Kalou 68), Terry (c), Malouda; Ballack, Mikel (Belletti 59), Lampard; J Cole (Sturridge 59), Anelka; Drogba.
Manager: Carlo Ancelotti

Manchester City (4-3-3): Given (c); Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Bridge (Santa Cruz 77); Zabaleta, De Jong, Barry; A Johnson (Wright-Phillips 69), Tevez (Sylvinho 89), Bellamy.

Manager: Robert Mancini

Referee Mike Dean
Attendance 41,814

Nicolas Anelka was still not fit, so in his and Didier Drogba’s absence, Daniel Sturridge led the line. Malouda, Joe Cole, Yuri Zhirkov, Juliano Belletti and Lampard all started in midfield, as Carlo Ancelotti deployed a 4-3-2-1 formation. Alex was given an opportunity alongside Terry in defence and in goal, Hilario came in for the rested Petr Cech.

It took just four minutes for the Watford defence to be breached. Alex headed Lampard’s corner from the left across goal, to fellow centre half Terry. His volley was heading wide, but Sturridge showed all his predatory instincts to steal a tap in at the back post.  The young forward wheeled away in celebration of his first Chelsea goal.

Minutes later, an unfortunate own goal from Eustace doubled Chelsea’s lead. As the ball ricocheted across goal, Eustace got the final touch and in trying to clear, only served to slide the ball past his own goalkeeper, Scott Loach. Malouda, Joe Cole and Lampard had all been involved in the build up.

Belletti’s stinging volley nearly made it three, but a minute later the tie was effectively over. Zhirkov fancied his chances from twenty five yards, his well struck effort deflecting off Malouda and in past the stranded Loach. After Leeds’ upset win at Old Trafford, Chelsea were happy to be so easily ahead after just twenty minutes.

Watford should have scored at the start of the second half. A corner from their left found Jay De Merit unmarked, but he only headed the ball straight at the Chelsea goalkeeper Hilario, who was grateful to not have to extend himself in saving.

Sturridge forced a good save from Loach after he used his pace to get onto Zhirkov’s through ball. The rebound fell to Sturridge again, but he could only shoot into the side netting.

Within a minute though, Chelsea had their fourth. Lampard’s touch set him up perfectly and with time and space in his favour, he launched a sweetly struck screamer past Scott Loach and into the far top corner. It was a belter of a goal and one we’re so used to seeing from England’s finest midfielder.

Nemanja Matic replaced Belletti soon after, but it was the other left footers, Malouda, Zhirkov and Sturridge who were involved in the fifth and final goal. Malouda and Zhirkov worked an opening down the left, before crossing. Sturridge’s touch was beautifully deft in front of goal, his first touch controlling, his second to slot home the finish with the outside of his left boot. Once more, he was away in celebration, his second goal a wonderfully classy one.

Borini and Kakuta made substitute appearances too as the match drew towards a close, with Watford unthreatening and Chelsea taking their foot off the pedal.  Preston North End awaits in the fourth round but for now, Chelsea can reflect on a job well done and a fabulous start to 2010.

Chelsea (4-3-2-1): Hilario; Ivanovic, Alex, Terry (c), A Cole (Kakuta 73); Lampard Belletti (Matic 63), Zhirkov; J Cole, Malouda; Sturridge (Borini 69).
Manager Carlo Ancelotti.

Watford (4-4-1-1): Loach; Hodson, Mariappa, DeMerit (c), Doyley; Cowie (Harley 79), Severin (Jenkins h-t), Eustace, Cleverley; Lansbury; Graham (Henderson 79).
Manager Malky MacKay.

Referee Kevin Friend
Crowd 40,912.

It was all change in the fullback positions, with Yuri Zhirkov making his first Premier League start on the left and on the right, Paulo Ferreira, first choice right back in our league winning seasons under Jose Mourinho, was given a very rare start, having slipped behind Ivanovic, Bosingwa and Belletti in the right back pecking order. Daniel Sturridge dropped to the bench having started against Birmingham.

It took just three minutes though, for Fulham to steal the opening goal. Paul Konchesky found enough space to cross from the left and when the ball beat Carvalho,, Terry and Zhirkov made a complete hash of clearing their lines. Gera was alert enough to tee himself up and calmly sweep a finish past the helpless Petr Cech.

Didier Drogba fired two efforts straight at the ever-consistent Mark Schwarzer in the Fulham goal, though neither presented too much trouble for the Australian goalkeeper. Paulo Ferreira was getting into decent crossing positions on the right, but the football was largely uninspiring.

Just before the half hour John Terry went down with a nasty facial gash, caused by the studs of the Russian, Zhirkov. His first Premier League start was not going as planned.

Clint Dempsey tested Petr Cech’s reactions a few minutes later, the Chelsea stopped doing well to tip over a shot from the Fulham midfielder. The rest of the half was characterised by the ongoing tussle between John Paintsil and Didier Drogba. Plenty of huffing and puffing, but no end result.

Fulham should have doubled their lead within a minute of the second half kicking off. Ricardo Carvalho attempted to chest the ball back to Petr Cech, but anticipating this, in form Bobby Zamora nipped between the two players, only to see Cech’s giant frame spread to make a fantastic save. Cech visibly displayed to Carvalho that he thought a back header would have been a better idea.

Carlo Ancelotti had seen enough and replaced Paulo Ferreira with Branislav Ivanovic in a curious straight swap. John Paintsil hobbled off and was replaced by Dickson Etuhu and soon after, Daniel Sturridge replaced John Obi Mikel, as Chelsea switched to a Mourinho-esque 4-3-3 formation. Coincidentally, Mourinho was at Stamford Bridge as an observer, housed in Roman Abramovich’s private box.

Finally, after 72 minutes, the Blues were level. An excellent cross from the substitute defender Ivanovic picked out Drogba at the back post, where he powered a header past the helpless Schwarzer. It was his 19^th goal of the season in all competitions and a parting gift before his African sojourn.

Two minutes later, Chelsea had turned it around. Kalou, now playing wide right, did brilliantly to beat his man before crossing to Sturridge at the back post. The young forward smashed the ball goalwards, forcing an outstanding reaction save from Schwarzer. However, the ball rebounded into the back of defender Chris Smalling, whose despairing effort couldn’t stop the ball crossing the line.

Fulham rallied in the final ten minutes, testing the Chelsea defence with set pieces. Up the other end, Salomon Kalou rattled the cross bar with a fantastic 25 yarder that had Schwarzer beaten. It was to be the last goalmouth action of a frenetic game, one that could prove to be a decisive moment come seasons end. 2-1 the final score, Chelsea five points clear.

Chelsea (4-4-2 diamond): Cech; Ferreira (Ivanovic 64), Carvalho, Terry (c), Zhirkov (A Cole 83); Mikel (Sturridge 69), Ballack, Lampard, J Cole; Kalou, Drogba.
Unused subs Hilario, Alex, Belletti, Kakuta.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti

Fulham (4-4-1-1): Schwarzer; Pantsil (Etuhu 66), Hughes, Smalling, Konchesky; Duff (Riise 84), Murphy (c), Baird, Dempsey; Gera (Johnson 70); Zamora.
Unused subs Zuberbuhler, Kallio, Greening, Nevland.
Manager Roy Hodgson

Referee Andre Marriner
Attendance 41,805

Alex was given a start in place of Ricardo Carvalho for Chelsea and in Didier Drogba’s absence, Salmon Kalou started alongside Nicolas Anelka in attack, making his 100^th Chelsea appearance.

It was Kalou who, almost typically, spurned a glorious opportunity to give Chelsea the lead in the sixth minute. Deco’s corner from the right was flicked on at the near post by Michael Ballack, perfectly picking out Kalou. Somehow though, the Chelsea striker headed the ball over from almost underneath the bar.

Soon after, the talented young keeper Asmir Begovic made a decent stop to deny Anelka. Begovic was deputising for the ill England keeper, David James. Then, Lampard picked Begovic out from the edge of the area.

Twenty three minutes were on the clock when the Blues broke down the Portsmouth resistance. Alex, of all people, sprinted to keep the ball in play on the right. He took on and beat a Portsmouth defender, charging into the area at the byline, before cutting back to Nicolas Anelka who scored with an easy tap in.

Alex lined up a long range free kick, but sent it flying wide, before Chelsea were given another set piece scare as old boy Tal Ben Haim headed over a Jamie O’Hara free kick from a very good position.

Shortly before half time, Ashley Cole’s well struck effort from just inside the area was half a yard wide of Begovic’s goal.

Chelsea’s set piece woes were to continue though, five minutes into the second half. Terry clumsily fouled Boateng 25 yards out, to the right of goal. O’Hara stepped up and fortunately for Pompey, his free kick deflected off of Kalou and then Ashley Cole, before falling perfectly for Piquionne to smash high into the net past Petr Cech.

Chelsea looked to hit back immediately. Ivanovic’s fierce long range shot was beaten away by Begovic, before Ashley Cole made a fantastic block to deny Boateng who had found himself at the near post.

Deco, Malouda and young Borini all came on within a few minutes of each other, with Joe Cole, Mikel and Kalou making way. Begovic then denied Frank Lampard from long range, as he lined up a long range sighter.

The breakthrough though, came with twelve minutes remaining, just before uneasiness looked like setting in. Ballack’s ball found its way to the charging Ivanovic who was sliced down in a horribly mistimed challenge by Marc Wilson. It was as straight forward a decision as was possible for Mark Clattenburg, who awarded the penalty.

Lampard stepped up, having missed against Manchester City, but netting his previous nineteen from the spot. The pressure was palpable, but Lampard smashed the spot kick high into the net, down the middle. Unstoppable.

Stoppage time nearly saw a first senior goal for Fabio Borini, who intercepted a back pass but having rounded the otherwise impressive Begovic, he sent his finish narrowly wide from an awfully tight angle.

Nonetheless, the three points were successfully attained, whilst Portsmouth remain rooted to the foot of the table. Avram Grant though will have been impressed by the spirit and tenacity that his Portsmouth side showed and will be optimistic that he, of all people, can pull off the minor miracle required to keep the South Coast side in English football’s top division.

Chelsea (4-diamond-2): Cech; Ivanovic, Alex, Terry (c), A Cole; Mikel (Malouda 63), Ballack, Lampard, Deco (J Cole 58); Kalou (Borini 71), Anelka.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti

Portsmouth (4-3-2-1): Begovic; Finnan, Ben Haim, Wilson, Hreidarsson; Mullins, Mokoena (Utaka 85), Diop (Hughes 69); Boateng, O’Hara; Piquionne (Dindane 71).
Manager Avram Grant

Referee Mark Clattenburg
Attendance 40,137

Chelsea started brightly enough, the nigh on unplayable Drogba flashing a shot across Tim Howard’s goal in the opening few minutes. Cech was tested too, comfortably saving from Jo effort from outside the area.

However, Lampard’s foul on Pienaar meant that Everton had a free kick. What followed would turn out to be a neat summation of the nights defending. Leighton Baines’ delivery was good, but not exceptional. Saha leapt and scrambled a header that evaded everyone and hit the post. Cech’s despairing dive wasn’t enough to get a touch, but as the ball hit the post, it then rebounded back into the Chelsea keeper and into the back of the net. Unlucky, but also not unexpected, given recent form.

To their credit though, Chelsea responded as potential champions should. They ramped up the pressure on the makeshift Everton defence and were given their due reward, just six minutes after going behind.

Ricardo Carvalho dispossessed Saha just inside the Everton half. Storming forward, the Portuguese defender picked out Lampard, whose gorgeous touch fell straight into the path of Drogba, who curled a delicious left footed curler into the top corner. It was a truly sumptuous team goal and at that point, everything looked like it would turn Chelsea’s way again.

The turbo charged response continued and six minutes after the equaliser, Chelsea were in front. Louis Saha made a meal out of clearing a Chelsea corner and did very little in recovering the situation as the ball dropped to Ivanovic. The Serbian held off Saha and picked out Anelka, who still had plenty of time. The world stood still though, as the Frenchman delicately but powerfully finished high past Howard into the roof of the net. All was well again.

Play settled down for the most part of the remainder of the half, yet there was still one more twist before the break. Jo was injured in a challenge with Terry and hobbled off to be replaced by Yakubu. He’d not been on the field two minutes, before he scored himself.

A long throw was not dealt with by Chelsea as firstly Carvalho, then Terry failed to clear. The ball struck the prone Carvalho once more, before popping up to Yakubu who gleefully tapped in from all of two yards. Two all at the break.

After the disastrously conceded first half goals, there was no doubt that Carlo Ancelotti had strong words at half time. Delightfully, they had an effect as just thirteen minutes into the second period, Chelsea took the lead.

It was a goal of careful and intricate execution. The immensely impressive Ivanovic raided forward down the right, a move which culminated in a beautifully chipped cross to the back post where Didier Drogba swept Pienaar aside to powerfully volley past the hapless Tim Howard.

And yet, despite the lead being taken once more, a set piece was to prove Chelsea’s downfall, again.

This time it was Ivanovic who conceded a free kick in dangerous area. Dutch defender Johnny Heitinga lumped the ball forward towards Saha. Drogba, back defending, rose highest to head clear. Unfortunately, his powerful header hit Saha, who unknowingly equalised as the ball looped over the stranded Petr Cech and in. The Chelsea goalkeeper, at the end of his tether, launched a withering attack on all and sundry as the score was pegged back to 3-3.

Howard twice denied Chelsea in the minutes after, firstly doing well to tip over a goal bound Michael Ballack free kick, before again excelling in denying Didier Drogba’s cross/shot that was dipping in at the far post.

A spate of substitutions did little to change the course of the game, but there was one late, late chance for a winner. Youngster Fabio Borini’s cross was headed partially away by the Everton defence. Ballack, coming forward, thumped a beautifully struck left footed shot a foot or so wide of the far post with Tim Howard nowhere to be seen and so the chance went begging.

Not a crisis just yet, but work needs to be done, despite Chelsea being let off the hook by Aston Villa’s defeat of Manchester United.

Chelsea (4-1-2-1-2): Cech; Ivanovic, Carvalho (Belletti 85), Terry (c), A Cole; Mikel (Borini 87); Ballack, Lampard; J Cole (Malouda 75); Anelka, Drogba.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti

Everton (4-4-2): Howard (c), Neill, Heitinga, Hibbert, Baines; Pienaar, Fellaini, Rodwell, Bilyaletdinov; Saha (Agard 90+2), Jo (Yakubu 45+3).
Manager David Moyes

Referee Phil Dowd
Attendance 41,579

Ivanovic and Carvalho were both rested by Carlo Ancelotti, meaning there were starts for Alex and Belletti at the back. Ashley Cole returned from injury on the left, whilst Michael Ballack, who had played the last four matches straight, was rested, his spot taken by Florent Malouda. Likewise, Anelka and Deco were on the bench, so Joe Cole supported Kalou and Drogba in attack.

The opening twenty minutes were tit for tat, as Atletico tried to assert themselves in front of their home crowd. The home side had changed manager since our last meeting, with Sanchez Flores now in charge. He urged his side on, and would be buoyed as Reyes forced Cech to stretch as far as his gigantic frame would allow, tipping over a curling effort from the former Arsenal player.

The Blues, as often this season, struggled for shape in the absence of Ballack. It is no coincidence that both our defeats were in his absence, and whilst he made a second half appearance here, it was in a deeper midfield role.

The remainder of the first half was devoid of genuine opportunities, Kalou’s header floating wide and Lampard’s long range strike doing likewise. Assuncao and Reyes though, both picked up bookings for cynical fouls on our left back Cole.

Just after half time, a combination of Asenjo and the post denied a Drogba free kick, before both managers made changes, Aguero replacing Sinama-Pongolle for Atletico, and Ballack replacing Essien for Chelsea.

Atletico took the lead shortly after, and there was no lack of quality in its execution. Terry headed a cross away from goal, only to find the lurking Aguero. The immensely talented forward hit a sweet, crisp first time volley past the helpless Cech, and in doing so, put his side in front.

A spate of subs then followed, Ancelotti sending Anelka and Deco on to replace Kalou and Joe Cole, and Flores sending Maxi Rodriguez on in place of Reyes. Just six minutes after his introduction, Deco sent a decent change past the post, having found himself with a touch of space inside the area.

What followed though, was as frantic a finale as any could wish for. 82 minutes were on the clock when Lampard’s corner was cleared to Malouda. The Frenchman played a one two with Lampard wide on the left, before sending an accurate ball into the area. Leaping high was Drogba, who powered a header beyond Asenjo, to mark his return to the competition.

Five minutes later, the Ivorian latched onto a hopeful ball forward, taking a few beautiful touches to beat two defenders before powering towards goal. Although Asenjo made a decent save one on one, the rebound was tucked home by the alert Chelsea striker.

However, just when it seemed Chelsea had snatched victory, further late drama followed. In stoppage time, Aguero lined up a free kick, central though slightly to the right. Stepping up, he delicately curled the ball up and over the wall and past the dive of the despairing Cech, to level the scores.

A dramatic ending saw the points shared, and indeed the result was not unfair on either side. Chelsea clearly had one eye on this Sunday’s meeting with Manchester United, and by virtue of FC Porto’s win, qualifies for the knockout stages.

Chelsea (4-3-2-1): Cech; Belletti, Alex, Terry (c), A Cole; Lampard, Essien (Ballack 59), Malouda; Kalou (Anelka 69), J Cole (Deco 69); Drogba.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti

Atletico Madrid (4-diamond-2): Sergio Asenjo; Perea, Pablo Ibanez, Juanito, Antonio Lopez; Paulo Assuncao; Reyes (Maxi Rodriguez 72), Simao (c); Cleber Santana; Forlan, Sinama Pongolle (Aguero 54).
Manager Sánchez Flores

Referee Bjorn Kuipers (Netherlands)

The Blues were able to welcome back the majority of their first choice lineup, though Ashley Cole, Yuri Zhirkov, John Obi Mikel and Jose Bosingwa remained unavailable. Thus, Ivanovic continued at right back, as did Ferreira at left back. Deco was preferred to Joe Cole in midfield, whilst Ross Turnbull, fresh from his debut in midweek, was on the bench with Hilario left out of the travelling squad due to his head injury

Jaaskelainen didn’t have to wait long for some action – he rarely does. Firstly, he denied Anelka with the first on target shot of the match, before acrobatically tipping over a Drogba header a minute later.

Tamir Cohen went close-ish with a decent effort, though he didn’t extend Petr Cech, who made a comfortable save. Then, just before the half hour, Jaaskelainen had to be alert to push wide a Paulo Ferreira cross, one that had evaded all targets in the area.

Chelsea though they’d taken the lead in the twenty ninth minute. After a scramble, Branislav Ivanovic crashed a volley into the back of the net, only for the offside flag to go up against Michael Ballack, who was nearby.

The Blues though, were not to be denied, and took the lead moments before half time. A sumptuous through ball from Ballack saw Drogba one on one with Jaaskelainen, only for Jlloyd Samuel to trip him from behind. Referee Peter Walton, in keeping with the rules, gave a penalty and a red card to Samuel. Lampard, calmness personified from the spot, sent Jaaskelainen the wrong way to make it 1-0 at half time.

Gardner and Robinson replaced Lee and Basham at half time, as Gary Megson looked to change the course of the match. Still though, it was Jaaskelainen being overworked, saving a shot from Didier Drogba, not long into the second half.

Fifty six minutes were played, when a Deco corned was rolled out to Lampard. The England midfielder crunched a stinging drive against the bar from twenty five yards out, with Jaaskelainen for once helpless.

The crossbar was still shaking, when the Blues scored a delightful goal to double their lead. Anelka found Deco, who beautifully touched the ball inside the defender, before curling a left footed shot past the Bolton goalkeeper. It was Deco’s second display of goalscoring poise and control this week, having scored an equally delightful goal in the win at Stamford Bridge.

Bolton had no answer for Chelsea’s superiority, and indeed a third goal game with nine minutes remaining. Ricardo Carvalho, moonlighting as a left winger, breezed past his marker before sending in a threatening cross with the outside of his right boot. Ivanovic and Zat Knight competed for it, the Bolton defender getting the final touch as it flew into the net.

The icing on the cake came in the ninetieth minute. Deco beautifully chested forward to Lampard, who brilliantly back heeled into the path of Drogba. The Ivorian made no mistake in volleying past the helpless Jasskelainen, to complete our second 4-0 demolition of Bolton this week.

Such was the ease of victory, Ancelotti did not make a single substitution throughout the match, leaving many fresh for the trip to Madrid, where we take on Athletico in midweek. On this form, who can stop us?

Chelsea (4-1-2-1-2): Cech; Ivanovic, Carvalho, Terry (c), Ferreira; Essien; Ballack, Lampard; Deco; Anelka, Drogba.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti.

Bolton (4-1-2-1-2) Jaaskelainen; Ricketts, Cahill, Knight, Samuel; Muamba (M Davies 65), Basham (Robinson h-t), Cohen, Lee (Gardner h-t); K Davies (c), Elmander.
Manager Gary Megson.

Referee Peter Walton.
Crowd 22,680

Michael Ballack was ruled out through injury, his place in midfield taken by Florent Malouda. Deco started again in an attacking position, whilst Jose Bosingwa was fit again and returned in place of Branislav Ivanovic at right back. Notably, Petr Cech – in fluro orange once more – returned from suspension, his able deputy Hilario returning to the bench.

England striker Emile Heskey was again amongst the substitutes, with Martin O’Neill preferring John Carew in attack, supported by Gabriel Agbonlahor. Former Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell started, as did the industrious and ultimately impressive James Milner, having come on as a substitute left back for England in his most recent outing.

There was pre kick-off drama as referee Steve Bennett was taken ill, causing a five minute delay. Fourth official Kevin Friend stepped in, and former football league referee Paul Rejar was summoned to take over fourth official duties at very short notice.

Friend had to rule on a contentious early incident too, as Agbonlahor went to ground under pressure from Bosingwa. The referee decided that no foul had occurred and waived play on, much to the chagrin of the Villa faithful.

Chants of “You’re not fit to referee!” were still reverberating around Villa Park when Drogba’s long range effort gave Chelsea a scarcely deserved lead. His turn was brilliant, and 35 yards out from goal, the strike was sweet. Though it dipped late and bounced just in front of Villa keeper Friedel, the goal must go down as a goalkeeping error, not that it stopped Drogba wheeling away in celebration, the goal his seventh of the season already.

Ashley Cole nearly doubled the lead when a jinking run took him past three defenders and into the box, however the left back’s shot was marginally high and wide. Before long though, Villa were level.

Thirty one minutes were on the clock, when a corner was swung in by Ashley Young. Lampard rose to clear the danger at the near post, but could only succeed in flicking the ball into the penalty area, where a diving Richard Dunne headed past Cech, scoring in consecutive Premier League matches and equalising for the home side.

The goal sparked Ancelotti’s side, who showed infinite more poise and purpose after conceding. Deco, prominent throughout, nearly embarrassed Friedel again with a delicate chip from outside the area, but the American redeemed himself by scrambling back to claw the ball away – a good save.

Then, as Chelsea piled on further pressure, James Collins made a heroic block at the feet of Didier Drogba, as a neat touch from Terry found the Ivorian free at the back post following a partially cleared corner.

The second half though, saw Villa take the lead just six minutes after the restart. Another corner from Young saw Cech come off his line, fail to collect, and an unmarked James Collins stooped to score his first goal in three and a half years. The irony was not lost on Chelsea fans, after all, his last goal was also against us in claret and blue, in Collins’s time as a West Ham player.

Like in the first half, the goal sparked Chelsea, who ramped up the pressure on Villa. Lampard shot wide, whilst Deco and Malouda forced saves from Friedel when perhaps they should have done more.

Bosingwa hobbled off with just over twenty minutes remaining, Ancelotti making a peculiar decision in replacing him with Ivanovic. Chasing a goal, perhaps Belletti would have been a better option.

Again, Friedel was in fine form, denying Nicolas Anelka one on one, moments after Dunne headed wide another Young corner. This was followed by a glaring miss from John Carew, not cleanly connecting with a cross from the very impressive James Milner, the chance going begging from six yards out.

Joe Cole’s introduction was too little too late for Chelsea, as Villa comfortably held on to their lead and the three points that came with it. For Carlo Ancelotti, set pieces are turning into a real issue and one that must be ironed out ahead of the Champions League match coming up, against Atletico Madrid.

Chelsea (4-3-2-1): Cech; Bosingwa (Ivanovic 68), Carvalho, Terry (c), A Cole; Essien, Lampard, Malouda (J Cole 84); Deco, Anelka; Drogba.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti.

Aston Villa (4-4-2): Friedel; Cuéllar, Collins, Dunne, Warnock; Milner, Petrov (c), Sidwell, A Young; Agbonlahor, Carew (Heskey 82).
Manager Martin O’Neill.

Referee Kevin Friend.
Crowd 39,047.

The Blues were missing Petr Cech (suspended) and Jose Bosingwa (injured), so the popular Hilario started between the sticks, whilst Branislav Ivanovic was at right back. Surprisingly, Ancelotti chose Deco to support Anelka and Drogba in attack, with Lampard dropping deeper and Malouda on the bench.

Liverpool was as expected, so there was no return to the starting line-up for Dan Agger, whilst Mascherano was partnered by Lucas in midfield. Riera started on the left, with the in form Yossi Benayoun on the bench.

Refreshingly, neither team opted to sit back from the onset. Gerrard was prominent early, sadly for Liverpool he was to fade out as he so often does against Chelsea. Liverpool declined to test Hilario from any range whatsoever, so it was left to Reina to execute the first piece of goalkeeping action, saving a looping header from Drogba as the Ivorian and Ballack went up at the back post together.

Soon after, Anelka squandered a far more presentable opportunity. The French forward made a run between Skrtel and Carragher and managed to get on the end of a teasing Essien cross. In space, Anelka should have done better than direct his header straight at Reina. Up the other end, Torres had a similar opportunity, and likewise he could only direct his header at the goalkeeper, Hilario.

Chelsea were on top as the half hour ticked over, and when a corner was cleared in the thirty-eighth minute, Essien needed no invitation to hit a stinging left foot volley. It was blocked, but the Ghanaian got a second chance, this time hitting a strike low and hard and forcing Reina to save.

Just before half time, Albert Riera struck a free kick centrally towards the corner, which forced Hilario to react brilliantly, having assumed Ballack would clear the danger. When he did not, our Portuguese reserve keeper plunged low to his right to make a spectacular stop.

The second half started with a rare sight, that of Ivanovic launching a thirty yard effort at goal, which Reina did well to hold. Chelsea’s continual pressure meant that a goal was in the offing, and when it arrived, it did so in breathtaking style.

Lampard, so effective in a deeper position, won the ball back from Mascherano. He then fed Essien, who stormed forward and found the advancing Deco, who spread the ball wide left to Drogba. With all the precision of Duff or Robben in their pomp, Drogba threaded an inch perfect left foot cross between Carragher and Reina, leaving Anelka at the back post to finish with a wonderfully composed right footed touch.

Benitez reacted to this by replacing the ineffective Riera with Benayoun. The visitors enjoyed more possession now, as they chased the game. Nonetheless, Essien was keeping a close eye on Gerrard, and likewise Carvalho and Terry were doing a sterling job on Fernando Torres.

With fifteen minutes to go, both sides made a substitution, Liverpool replacing Lucas with Ryan Babel and Chelsea replacing Deco with Malouda. It had been an impressive performance from the little Portuguese player.

Liverpool spurned a golden chance though, with ten minutes remaining. Gerrard found himself in the area, only to see his shot charged down by the heroic Terry. Somehow, the ball squeezed out to Torres, who on the edge of the box, shanked his left footed finish wide of Hilario’s goal, to sighs of relief from the Chelsea faithful.

Stoppage time arrived, and yet there was no let up in the action. Indeed, Chelsea doubled their lead, through an immense display of power from Drogba. Controlling a Lampard free kick on the right of the area, he shimmied past Aurelio, before absolutely monstering the hapless Carragher. Despite having his shirt tugged, he managed to cut the ball back to Malouda who slid the ball home from a few yards.

Chelsea fans couldn’t breath easily yet, as Benayoun missed a sitter up the other end, before Gerrard hit a peach of a volley, only to be stopped by a flying save from the exceptional Hilario. The Portuguese goalkeeper won man of the match accolades for his flawless performance. Full time was fittingly sounded after a towering Terry clearance, setting the scene for jubilant celebration from those in blue, a deserved victory sending Ancelotti’s Chelsea back to the top of the league.

Chelsea (4-3-2-1): Hilario; Ivanovic, Carvalho, Terry (c), A Cole; Essien, Ballack, Lampard; Deco (Malouda 75), Anelka; Drogba.
Unused subs: Turnbull, Belletti, Zhirkov, J Cole, Kalou, Sturridge.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Reina; Johnson, Skrtel, Carragher, Insua (Aurelio 81); Lucas (Babel 75), Mascherano; Kuyt, Gerrard, Riera (Benayoun 66); Torres
Unused subs: Cavalieri, Agger, Kyrgiakos, N’Gog.

Manager Rafa Benitez.

Referee Martin Atkinson.
Crowd 41,732.

Ancelotti recalled Jose Bosingwa and Didier Drogba after missing the midweek win against Porto through suspension, with Branislav Ivanovic and the infuriatingly inconsistent Salomon Kalou dropping to the bench. The bench had a youthful look about it, with Sam Hutchinson and Fabio Borini taking their places.

Harry Redknapp made just once change to his side, with Jermaine Jenas replacing Peter Crouch. Happily, Carlo Cudicini was selected for the fifth straight match in goal and got a deservedly passionate ovation from the fans when he was presented with an award prior to kickoff, in honour of his 216 sterling appearances for Chelsea. Always a blue.

The opening twenty minutes was fabulously fast paced and high on entertainment. Tottenham refused to sit back and in a welcome change from regular visiting side policy, looked to sting Chelsea early.

After Bosingwa’s long range missile struck the woodwork, Cech was forced into two smart saves in quick succession. The first, with his legs, denied the lethal looking Jermain Defoe, whilst the second was a reaction stop to deny a stinging effort from Tom Huddlestone. Then, Jenas struck a shot well from the edge of the box but with Cech scrambling and perhaps beaten, it flew wide of the post.

Then ensued a ten minute lull, punctuated by the odd burst forward from the resoundingly impressive Bosingwa. However, there’s nothing quite like a goal to bring a game (back) to life, and so it proved in the 31^st minute. Bosingwa’s run opened up space on the right, allowing Didier Drogba to cross to the back post, where Ashley Cole finished with a neat diving header. So often the provider of such crosses, it was just his fourth goal for Chelsea and being an ex-Gunner, it was made all the sweeter.

It could, and probably should have been 2-0 immediately after the interval. Drogba, menacing all day, broke down the left before pulling the ball back to Lampard who to the surprise of most, sidefooted wide. During this attack, Ledley King pulled up with a hamstring injury and was substituted, Hutton coming on and playing right back, Corluka moving to centre half.

54 minutes in came the most contentious moment of the match so far. Keane raced into the area, before seemingly being tripped by the backtracking Carvalho. Keane however, delayed his fall, enough to allow referee Howard Webb to assume simulation, thought he didn’t book the forward. Spurs fans were further incensed when Chelsea doubled their lead just three minutes later.

A cross from the right found Drogba, whose right footed strike was well saved by the excellent Cudicini. However, Lampard somehow kept the ball in play and turned it back towards goal where Michael Ballack was on hand to steer it home, to his obvious delight. He was substituted a few moments later with an injury though, to be replaced by Mikel.

A minute later and it was three, and game over. Ashley Cole’s ball forward was beautifully brought down by Drogba, who out paced, out muscled and out smarted the hapless Corluka, before rounding the unlucky Cudicini. His goal sent Stamford Bridge into raptures and sealed the result that saw us move back to the top of the table.

Chelsea could have had a penalty when Assou-Ekotto handballed when defending a Lampard free kick in the wall, honours even in that respect. Defoe was replaced by Crouch, who looked threatening, whilst Mikel saw a fierce volley turned around the post by Cudicini, who did well to react after the initial strike went through him and appeared to be going in. He leapt backwards and dragged the ball sideways and out, much to his own relief.

Bassong suffered a serious looking head injury and was replaced, leaving Spurs with no fit centre halves. Drogba too was stretchered off, to be replaced by Kalou. The substitute striker went on to force two good saves from Cudicini, one at his near post, the other with his legs. Finally, Nicolas Anelka was replaced just before the commencement of the eight minutes of stoppage time, Fabio Borini coming on to make his debut at just 18 years of age. Peter Crouch has a goal correctly ruled out for offside, as the last few minutes are played out in relative comfort.

A crushing derby win for Chelsea means we can now turn our attention to another derby, this time in the League Cup in midweek. Our opponents are Queens Park Rangers, and they’ll be coming up against a Blues side in clinical form, and one that could welcome back Yuri Zhirkov, Paulo Ferreira and Joe Cole after long absences through injury. 3-0 though, at home to Tottenham, and normal service is resumed after the international break.

Chelsea (4-3-2-1): Cech; Bosingwa, Carvalho, Terry (c), A Cole; Essien, Ballack (Mikel 61), Malouda; Lampard, Anelka (Borini 89); Drogba (Kalou 84).
Manager Carlo Ancelotti.

Tottenham (4-3-2-1): Cudicini; Corluka, King (Hutton 47), Bassong (Kranjcar 81), Assou-Ekotto; Palacios, Huddlestone, Jenas; Lennon, Keane (c); Defoe (Crouch 66).
Manager Harry Redknapp.

Referee Howard Webb.
Crowd 41,623.