Source: Team_Talk
Blues lucky to pinch points - Ancelotti
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti admitted his side were "lucky" to win 2-1 at Blackburn on Saturday, but Sam Allardyce was not surprised.[LNB] Branislav Ivanovic headed the visitors' winner eight minutes from time just moments after Jason Roberts had spurned a clear chance to put the home side back in front.[LNB]Ancelotti said: "Blackburn could have scored before our goal and we were a little bit lucky. He [Roberts] could have closed the game."[LNB]But Ancelotti, who earlier this week insisted his in-form squad still had plenty of improvements to make, once again pointed out the need to move to another level.[LNB]"To win here was important because they were better. We were not great again. Blackburn put us under some pressure and we were not able to play our football.[LNB]"We knew it would be difficult to win here because Blackburn are a very good team with a lot of strength and physical ability and long balls.[LNB]"So it is very important to win here to maintain our position at the top. We are in good condition now and I hope we improve on this victory."[LNB]Ancelotti singled out Yury Zhirkov for special praise after the midfielder's sensational work down the left flank set up Ivanovic's chance to grab the points.[LNB]"We were [heading for] a draw then we had the fantastic play of Zhirkov and we were able to win this game," added Ancelotti. "He is playing good football and working for the team."[LNB]Allardyce bemoaned his side's series of missed chances but also paid tribute to Chelsea's ability to rescue three points out of nowhere.[LNB]Allardyce said: "They've got a punishing side to their game and they're ruthless. When they're being out-played - and we out-played them at times - they hang in there.[LNB]"They're not in the game and they're not looking like scoring and we're in the ascendancy, then with three passes it's a goal. That outstanding quality can punish you at any time."[LNB]Allardyce, whose cause was not helped by first-half injuries to Gael Givet and goalscorer Benjani Mwaruwari, added that he could have few complaints about his side's display.[LNB]"It's one of those days where you play as well as you possibly can. It's pleasing to create chances against such a big team but it's the ultimate kick in the teeth when you don't take them.[LNB]"It's tremendously disappointing for the performance we gave to get the result we got. The performances are good but the points we are getting are just not good enough."[LNB]Of Roberts' glaring miss, Allardyce added: "Jason did everything right apart from hitting it six inches wide. It should be 2-1 with six minutes to go. One minute later it's 2-1 to them and that's a bitter pill for us."
