Source: Telegraph
Blackburn Rovers 1 Chelsea 1: match report
El-Hadji Diouf's powerful second-half header piled the pressure on Carlo Ancelotti with Chelsea dropping vital points in the Premier League title race. [LNB]After taking an early lead, through Didier Drogba, with his 28th goal of the season, Chelsea appeared set to reduce Manchester United's lead at the top of the table but fell away dramatically. [LNB] Related ArticlesPremier League actionPremier League tableDebate: Can anyone stop United?Telegraph player raterPremier League fixturesSport on televisionWith John Terry and Frank Lampard struggling to impose themselves this is a worrying time for Ancelotti who spoke before this match of his desire to win a league and FA Cup double after crashing out of the Champions League in midweek. [LNB]Blackburn were bolstered by an outstanding Premier League debut by 18-year-old central defender Phil Jones who was, in the driving rain, the man-of-the-match against stellar opponents. [LNB]Nevertheless Chelsea drew ahead with Drogba side-footing home after just five minutes, after superb build-up play by Nicolas Anelka, and appeared to be cruising to victory. [LNB]Salomon Kalou headed over a corner and Anelka was wayward with a volley as Chelsea comfortably controlled the match while another by Alex struck Martin Ollson and goalkeeper Jason Brown beat out Florent Malouda's drive. For Blackburn, Morten Gamst Pedersen's free-kick was easily stopped by Ross Turnbull but they threatened little until after the break. [LNB]The home side's best chance of scoring appeared to be Pedersen's long-throws and substitute Yuri Zhirkov had to scramble off the line as Chris Samba headed on with Turnbull stranded. It encouraged Blackburn who raised the tempo and started to press. [LNB]Pedersen collected an angled cross from Steven Nzonzi and, with Paulo Ferreira distracted, he rounded the full-back only to lift his shot across goal. Chelsea didn't heed the warning and so when substitute Brett Emerton crossed deep, Diouf rose brilliantly, with Ferreira rooted, to head firmly into the net. [LNB]There was a frantic finish. Chelsea pushed forward, desperate for the winning goal, with a series of half-chances cleared, by Samba in particular. [LNB]The Blackburn captain flung himself to deflect Drogba's goal-bound half-volley while Pedersen brilliantly tackled Lampard and Jones, appropriately, denied Terry. What a debut. [LNB]
