Source: Daily_Mail
Chelsea 1 QPR 0: Cole returns but Lampard has the answers for Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti took just over 45 minutes to realise what five of his predecessors would testify to: when in need, call for Frank Lampard.
A returning Joe Cole, captain for the evening, may have provided the pass for Salomon Kalou to score, but it was the introduction of Lampard that finally shook Ancelotti's re-jigged Carling Cup XI into life.
By the final whistle, Ashley Cole and John Terry had also been introduced as, for much of the game, QPR matched their neighbours.
Indeed, if Ancelotti needed any convincing that riding out the FIFA transfer ban may not be as easy as anticipated, then the workout his understudies were handed by Jim Magilton's side was evidence enough.
It was a night for understudies, as assistant-manager, Ray Wilkins, fielded the questions on behalf of the Italian.
'QPR acquitted themselves very well and gave us a tough evening,' said Wilkins. 'It's not a bad substitution putting Frank on. It was a testament to how well QPR played that we had to use Frank, Ashley Cole and John Terry to shore things up.'
Magilton added: 'That was a mark of respect to us. I was hoping they'd remain on the bench. I was immensely proud of the team.'
Chelsea's supporters might not feel the same way, despite the win, and, perhaps, they would have preferred to see more academy products than just Sam Hutchinson and Fabio Borini.
Hardly the Arsenal approach. And Chelsea fans could be forgiven for wondering just whether Frank Arnesen's worldwide scout for talent is actually worth it, such were the familiar names on the bench.
But at least this Carling Cup fixture allowed Joe Cole and Yuri Zhirkov to get up and running. Like Cole, Zhirkov has been dogged by a knee problem but, playing at left back, the Russia international was soon marauding forward.
Chelsea took just two minutes to register their first effort on QPR's goal, but Florent Malouda's strike from Kalou's pass was well held by Tom Heaton. Then Borini headed narrowly wide.
After some initial ring rustiness, Joe Cole, too, began to get into his stride, playing behind the strikers.
As for a nigh-on full-strength QPR, the amount of possession they enjoyed resulted in little action for Henrique Hilario in the Chelsea goal. But neither was Heaton having the busiest of nights. Malouda fired into the side netting and Cole lashed a Paulo Ferreira cross wide, the full back also on his first outing of the season after knee trouble.
QPR midfielder Alejandro Faurlin then failed to trouble Hilario from distance while at the other end, Juliano Belletti sent an effort wide. The former Barcelona star was much more accurate with 30-yard free-kick on the stroke of half-time, stinging Heaton's palms.
Tired of QPR's dogged resistance, Ancelotti brought on Lampard to try to unpick the opposition. But just three minutes after the restart it was Chelsea who came close to being undone as Wayne Routledge find himself one-on-one with Hilario only for the Portuguese keeper to boot the ball clear well outside his area.
Kalou then finally calmed Chelsea nerves with 52 minutes played. Joe Cole's ball out to the Ivory Coast striker was not the best, but neat footwork saw him cut in from the left-wing, jink past Mikele Leigertwood before sending a right-foot strike in off the bottom of the post.
Moments later. Lampard's 40-yard through-ball sent Borini scampering away but, having taken the ball too wide of Heaton's goal, he could not beat the QPR keeper from a tight angle.
To their credit QPR rallied and Akos Buzasky had Chelsea hearts in mouth as his angled drive bounced awkwardly in front of Hilario leaving him to save at full stretch.
With Chelsea's advantage slender, soon Ashley Cole and Terry were called upon to ensure progression to the fourth round.
Joe Cole, clearly out on his feet, came close to rubber-stamping matters for with five minutes to go, his shot striking the shoulder of Heaton after a one-two with Kalou.
Given Chelsea's transfer predicament, the return of the England midfielder could not be more timely.
Cole was certainly delighted to be back. He said: 'It's been a long wait. Tonight is just a stepping stone. It's beautiful to be back out there playing football again. It's what I love doing but there's plenty of hard work ahead.'
CHELSEA (4-1-2-1-2): Hilario; Ferreira, Hutchinson (Terry 77min), Ivanovic, Zhirkov (A Cole 69); Obi; Malouda (Lampard 46), Belletti; J Cole; Kalou, Borini.
QPR (4-4-2): Heaton; Stewart, Gorkss, Borrowdale, Leigertwood; Routledge, Faurlin, Rowlands (Ephraim 73), Buzasky; Vine (Taarabt 66), Simpson (Pellicori 73).
Man of the Match: Frank Lampard.
Referee: Mike Jones.
