Fixtures & Results
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Olivier Kapo is congratulated by his team mates after scoring his first goal for Blues. |
The victory also cemented Chelsea's place in the history books, as they eclipsed Liverpool's long-standing 63-game unbeaten home record.
Steve Bruce gave debuts to four players.
Joining the starting line-up for the first time were Liam Ridgewell, Franck Queudrue, Johan Djourou and Olivier Kapo.
Liam Ridgewell was given the captain's armband in the absence of the injured Damien Johnson.
Following a bright opening the first chance of the game fell to Mikael Forssell after just five minutes.
The Finn unleashed a powerful right-footed shot from just outside the box, which Peter Cech managed to gather in at the second attempt.
Chelsea had a golden chance to break the deadlock after seven minutes when Kalou squared the ball to Malouda running in from deep, but Malouda blasted it wide from less than ten yards.
Chelsea began to pile on the pressure and Nafti was forced into a timely tackle as Wright-Phillips burst into the box along the by-line.
The impressive Wright-Phillips was causing Queudrue all sorts of problems as he went forwards and yet another pass was sent into the box for Pizarro to head straight at Doyle.
Against the run of play Blues took the lead through flying Finn Mikael Forssell on the quarter hour mark.
McSheffrey floated the a free kick in from the right and Liam Ridgewell got the faintest of touches to flick it on to Mikael Forssell, who directed a headed effort past the wrong-footed Cech in the Chelsea goal.
But the lead was to last less than two minutes when Claudio Pizarro pulled the scores level.
A great 50 yard cross-field pass from Essien found Wright-Phillips on the right of the Blues box.
Wright-Phillips expertly controlled the ball before pulling it back to Pizarro, who stabbed the ball home from eight yards.
In fairness Doyle should probably have done better as he let the ball squirm underneath him
It was 2-1 to Jose Mourinho's side on the half hour following another neat bit of attacking play.
Kalou chipped the ball over the top of the Blues defence for Malouda to collect and shoot the ball home past Doyle.
It would have been 3-1 had it not been for Johan Djourou blocking Frank Lampard's close-range shot, as it looked goalbound.
Then on 36 minutes Blues were right back in the game thanks to a wonder goal by new signing Kapo.
He collected the ball on the left of the box and although he was man-marked by Glen Johnson, he evaded Johnson before firing a stunning strike past Cech into the top right corner.
Buoyed by their equaliser Blues continued to press, but Cech comfortably held McSheffrey's shot.
Then just before half time Blues had a good call for a penalty denied when McSheffrey appeared to be pushed as he went to head Larsson's cross, but Referee Steve Bennett waved the appeals away.
Half time 2-2
Chelsea came out for the second half at pace and the Blues defence was almost breached by Wright-Phillips, but his shot hit the side netting.
On 50 minutes Essien scored what was to be the winning goal.
Wright-Phillips was the provider again when he dragged the ball back for Essien to power home a side footed shot past Doyle.
On 51 minutes Steve Bruce replaced left back Franck Queudrue, who had had a torrid time all afternoon.
Stephen Kelly switched to left back, with Parnaby slotting in on the right hand side of the defence.
On 54 minutes Kelly was responsible for a goal saving tackle inside the box, just as Pizarro looked to fire home.
A great bit of play between Kapo and McSheffrey almost saw Blues get back into the game a minute later.
Following a well-executed one-two between the duo, Kapo's effort from eight yards was saved by the Chelsea keeper.
Blues were now becoming a little sloppy in midfield and Chelsea were looking a threat most times they broke forward.
Didier Drogba was introduced to the proceedings in place of Pizarro on 64 minutes.
Then on 69 minutes Gary McSheffrey was subbed to be replaced by Cameron Jerome and for Chelsea goalscorer Essien was switched for Mikel.
Drogba was soon causing problems and on 69 minutes Doyle did well to hold his shot low down.
Bruce made his third and final substitution of the afternoon when De Ridder was sent on in place of the combative Mehdi Nafti in midfield.
Sebastian Larsson became the first Blues player to be booked on 77 minutes.
As the game drew towards its finale Blues continued to hunt for an equaliser and Carvalho was yellow carded for what can best be described a rugby tackle on Mikael Forssell.
Larsson sent his free kick into the box and Cech missed the ball as it was cleared for the first of a succession of corners.
Ben-Haim cleared Jerome's neat ball following the second one and Johnson cleared the third.
From the resultant dead ball, Ridgewell found space in the Chelsea box but his header lacked direction and flashed wide.
Doyle was very nearly embarrassed by Drogba late on.
The Blues keeper cleared the ball just past the half way line after coming out of his box, but as he was running back Drogba tried an audacious 50 yard effort which sailed just wide of his post.
Drogba was then the provider for Sidwell who turned his marker on the edge of the box before smashing a shot just past the post.
With time running out Blues looked to salvage a point, but tight Chelsea defending ultimately stopped them creating any more decent chances.
Overall this was a decent performance by Blues, who were unlucky not to return from London with a point.
Steve Bruce must now look at turning the positives from the performance into a victory when Blues host Sunderland on Wednesday.
Full time: Chelsea 3 Blues 2
Chelsea: Cech, Johnson, Carvalho, Ben Haim, Cole, Wright-Phillips, Essien (Mikel), Lampard, Malouda (Sidwell), Kalou, Pizarro (Drogba)
Subs not used: Cudicini, Cole.
Goals: Pizarro 17, Malouda 31, Essien 50
Bookings: Essien 52, Carvalho 79
Blues: Doyle, Kelly, Djourou, Ridgewell, Queudrue (Parnaby), Larsson, Muamba, Nafti (De Ridder), McSheffrey (Nafti), Kapo, Forssell.
Subs not used: Taylor, O'Connor.
Goals: Forssell 15, Kapo 36.
Booking: Larsson 77