Rovers Dissapoint at The Bridge

Let me start by speaking my mind. Chelsea, were, brilliant. Rovers were pathetic. 2 weeks ago, we played Arsenal, and were beaten 6-2. Arsenal were brilliant, we were good. Last night, we played Chelsea, and were outplayed, out hungered and just not in the game.

From the opening whistle, Chelsea almost scored. A delightful chip in from Frank Lampard found Joe Cole, who was making his first Premier League Start in 10 months. Cole's glancing header flashed narrowly wide of Paul Robinson's goal. Boy was this a sign of things to come.

Against Arsenal, the scoreline didnt reflect the game. Against Chelsea, the scoreline didnt reflect the game. Thats covering both extremes. Chelsea continued to press. Lampard picked the ball up in the midfield, darted 10 or so yards, and blasted away, his swerving shot just missing the top right hand corner of the net. However, Chelsea werent to be denied minutes later.

Michael Ballack intercepted a Blackburn attack, and the counter was on. A few steps then a switch to Anelka who was hugging the left flank. The journeyman striker then took on his man, hitting the goal line and whipping in a cross into no-mans land. With Drogba on his tail, Gael Givet was forced to slide in to intercept, putting the ball into the back of his own net. 1-0 Chelsea.

Rovers' best chance of the half came minutes later. Route one clearance found Jason Roberts, who actually got past his man, but drifted out wide. He held the ball up then layed it of to Gamst Pedersen, whose right foot 20 yard shot blazed wide of the goal. That was about it for Rovers, with Brett Emerton and Diouf wasting several set piece opportunities.

Chelsea however, were enjoying a shooting practice session, but just couldnt convert. Essien and Lampard both tried there luck from distance, whilst Joe Cole was dazzling the Chelsea faithful with a performance that will surely delight English manager Capello.

Robinson did do his share in the first half, with 2 reflex saves preventing Chelsea adding before the interval. Robbo rushed out and parried a 1 on 1 with Anelka then followed it up with a reflex save from a Drogba attempt at goal.

1-0 at the break...could of been worse, but a sign of things to come.

If Rovers had any chance, then it would be early in the half. However, Chelsea sealed the points in the following 15 minutes, playing some delightful football, whilst our Rovers just set up camp, and still couldnt stop the goal fest. Lampard's first goal from open play in 6 months in the EPL came on the stroke of 50 minutes, Drogba raced into the box, cut the ball back across the goals, Jacobsen slid in, but his clearance found Lampard who blasted into an empty net. 2-0

Essien followed up minutes later with the goal of the night. A 35th minute strike left Robinson stranded, with the ball swerving into the left corner of the net. 3-0. As Kalinic and Salgado warmed up on the bench, Nelsen brought down Drogba in the box. Lampard stepped up, 4-0 Chelsea.

If that wasnt enough, in the 67th minute, Drogba rose highest after some poor marking on a Chelsea corner, flicking the ball into the net. 5-0 Chelsea.

What was really worrying is that Chelsea then took the foot of the pedal, bringing on Sturridge and Bruma, yet they still dominated. Rovers just sat back, and watched, as Chelsea dazzled, with Joe Cole putting in a splendid performance.

Yes, we were missing Dunn, Samba, Grella and Chimbonda....But, we failed...enough said.

5-0 it ended, and fortunately for Rovers, it didnt blow out any further.....

Me..... Stayed up til 3.3am to watch this game, and at 5.30 am was wondering why.....

In all seriousness, Martin Olsson was probably our best on field. He worked hard in a beaten outfit, unlucky nto to score one as Lampard cleared a chip of the line.
A few good saves, but sent too many free kicks 10m too long, and was out of position for a few of the goals. Not the big man's best game Sloppy tackle for the penalty, poor marking all night, we expect better from the Admiral Unlucky with the own goal, did a decent job on Drogba, but was outplayed Poor game from Lars. Very sloppy out on the flank, not commiting to his man. Appeared indecisive at times, whilst at other times rushed too early. Our best on field. The young Swede worked hard, trying to generate something in attack to no avail. Good to see he is definately improving as time goes by Ineffective. Quiet. Arghhhh Not his best. Wasted too many free kicks, sending them straight to Cech. Broke up play as much as he could. But was on his own. Also guilty of giving the ball away too many times whilst in possession. A good learning expereince for the young man Floated in and out of the game....Story of his Ewood Park Career Sorry Dioufy, but you really need to shut up and get on with it. The guy worked hard. Thats all I can say about JR. Its not easy in that loan striker role, and makes it harder when everybody else just sits back. 30 minutes, dont think he touched the ball more then 3 times Actually looked pretty good when he came on. Took on his man from RB, got stuck into a few tackles No time to impress

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