Source: Daily_Mail
Blackburn 1 Chelsea 1: Big Sam swings it to keep Carlo on the slide
Chelsea's season is in danger of becoming characterised by missed opportunities. Sunday's draw at Ewood Park was symptomatic.[LNB]Competing for the Barclays Premier League title against a Manchester United side weakened by the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and an Arsenal team who have played most of the season without a dependable forward, Chelsea will ask themselves why they are outside the top two for the first time since August.[LNB]Here, during 94 frenetic minutes in Lancashire, were some of the answers. Deprived of key players such as Petr Cech - expected back for Wednesday's game against Portsmouth - Ashley Cole, Michael Ballack and Ricardo Carvalho, Chelsea are sliding.[LNB] Celebration time: El-Hadji Diouf scored Blackburn's equaliser at Ewood Park[LNB] [LNB]Carlo Ancelotti's team really needed to win here to reintroduce momentum in the wake of Wednesday's numbing Champions League defeat at home to Inter Milan. That they didn't was telling.[LNB]Chelsea were so superior to Blackburn in the first half it was almost embarrassing. They should have been three or four goals to the good by the break.[LNB]But their failure to convert these chances cost them by the time Sam Allardyce's team found a little belief and tempo in the second period. When the intensity of Blackburn's play was turned up, Chelsea could not cope.[LNB]Perhaps it is down to confidence. It can come and go very quickly, even at this level. But equally worrying for Chelsea is that they look a tired team. Frank Lampard for the second game on the trot looked to be running in sand.[LNB]Given the state of Blackburn's pitch Allardyce's team have had to train on it this winter Lampard and his team-mates were indeed playing on a peculiar surface. [LNB] Perfect start: Didier Drogba gives Chelsea an early lead at Ewood Park[LNB]Their opening goal was superb, though. Only five minutes had passed when Nicolas Anelka romped down the right, turned inside Keith Andrews and laid the ball into the path of Didier Drogba who scored from 12 yards with his left instep.[LNB]After United's win over Liverpool earlier in the day, this was the start Chelsea would have wished for. Unfortunately for them, they could not capitalise on it.[LNB]With Salomon Kalou so effective at the point of their midfield diamond, Ancelotti's team were vibrant early on. [LNB]But Anelka volleyed carelessly over in the 21st minute, Alex struck a chance into the midriff of Martin Olsson and Florent Malouda drew a save from Jason Brown with a shot so well struck that it would have brought the second goal had it not been directed straight at the Rovers goalkeeper.[LNB]Blackburn were toothless, with striker Nikola Kalinic too often left isolated at the top of Allardyce's 4-2-3-1 formation.[LNB][LNB] Tough battle: John Obi Mikel is challenged by Blackburn's David Dunn [LNB] But Chelsea lost right back Branislav Ivanovic with a knee injury just before half-time and Allardyce rejigged his team during the interval. From then on, it was a different game. [LNB]MATCH FACTSBLACKBURN ROVERS (4-2-3-1): Brown 6; Salgado 6, Samba 7, Jones 8, Olsson 5; Andrews 7, Nzonzi 7 (Hoilett 90min, 6);Pedersen 7, Dunn 6 (Emerton 56, 6),Diouf 7; Kalinic 6 (Roberts 62, 6)[LNB]CHELSEA (4-1-2-1-2): Turnbull 6; Ivanovic 6 (Zhirkov 45, 6), Terry 6, Alex 7, Ferreira 6; Mikel 6; Lampard 6, Malouda 6; Kalou 7 (Deco 73, 6); Anelka 6 (Sturridge 89, 6), Drogba 7[LNB]Booked: Zhirkov[LNB]Man of the match: Phil Jones[LNB]Referee: Steve Bennett[LNB]Blackburn improved vastly after the break as their wide players, Brett Emerton and El Hadji Diouf, pushed hard on to Chelsea's full backs. Nevertheless, the manner in which Chelsea allowed themselves to concede ground was surprising.[LNB]Substitute Yury Zhirkov had already headed a Chris Samba flick off the goal-line and Pedersen had ballooned an effort over when Blackburn hauled themselves level in the 69th minute. It was a simple goal but brilliantly executed. [LNB]Michel Salgado who had endured a difficult game at full back hit a deep cross from right to left and Diouf rose above defender Paulo Ferreira to head down and in past Ross Turnbull at his right-hand post.[LNB]Diouf would certainly not have got above the taller Ivanovic and news that the Serb has a 'traumatic' knee injury will worry Ancelotti ahead of the scan the defender has on Monday.[LNB]For the final 20 minutes everything turned rather hectic. Rain began to fall and tempers flared. [LNB] Making their point: Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti and Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce [LNB]Predictably, Chelsea threw everything they had at Blackburn and Drogba almost scored the winner, only for Brown to turn his shot aside from close range with three minutes to go.[LNB]As Chelsea poured forward, Blackburn stood firm. Holding midfielder David Nzonzi was impressive but young central defender Phil Jones stood above everybody else.[LNB]Making his debut at 18, Jones is a product of Blackburn's youth system and looks a terrific prospect. [LNB]'We have high hopes for him,' said Allardyce. 'He is from down the road in Chorley and he will be very proud of himself in the morning. He could be the next John Terry.'[LNB]This morning, Jones will be feeling a damn sight happier than the Chelsea skipper. [LNB]Terry is believed to be under investigation by UEFA following comments he made in the wake of the 1-0 defeat by Inter at Stamford Bridge. [LNB]For Chelsea, it has not been a great week.[LNB] Blackburn 1 Chelsea 1: All the action as it happenedWilkins: Abramovich did see players after Inter humbling but it was positiveCHELSEA FC
