FC Copenhagen 0-2 Chelsea - Chelsea's stroll in the Parken.

Let's be honest here about last night, we were sitting waiting to see what kind of performance Chelsea would put into the game. The world was watching expecting us to slip up, the media were hungry for more Chelsea drama and with Copenhagen not having played for 11 weeks, you could imagine what would of happened if we had!. Instead and to their credit, Chelsea played well, put in a much better all round performance and won this one with ease.

Carlo surprised us all with his formation but not so much his selection after revealing that Torres and Anelka would start the game so I still for the life of me do not understand why Drogba being named on the bench was making headlines.

It wasn't so much the team selected and a certain player being left on the bench, but the formation of a flat 4-4-2 that surprised me. With Ramires wide right and Malouda wide left it looked as though Carlo had reverted back to basics to get some solidity back. As the game progressed it became apparent that we were playing quite a narrow midfield four when we never had the ball and for the most part it worked.

With the ball it was really effective as Cole and Bosingwa were looking to get forward, Lampard was buzzing in and around the front two of Torres and Anelka and we dominated the game. We created numerous chances and had over 20 shots on goal in the game with just less than half on target. It was signs of encouragement from Chelsea.

Essien was busy all over the pitch, Malouda had his best game he has had in weeks and Fernando Torres played really well. There were numerous instances that El Nino is beginning to find some understanding with the lads linking up the play. It still looks to me as though he is apprehensive at times in and around the box but the bloke is class and goals with come.

He was unlucky in the second half where he cut inside in the box and forced the keeper into a great save, he was through on goal a couple of times but under pressure couldn't quite get that killer strike on goal. Like I said it will come, but there is more than enough to be encouraged about with his performance last night.

Isn't it funny though that with most of the headlines being about Torres and Drogba, Nico Anelka has stepped up his game and last night was our man of the match for me. Playing up through the middle looked to give him a new lease of life. Yes he still drops off Torres to come and get the ball, but he did numerous times and found space to run at the defence.

His first goal was a gem. Gronkjaer's back pass found Anelka 35 yards from goal. With Malouda making a run to take one of the defenders away, Anelka was head down and head into the box, under no real pressure he looked up and drilled his shot under the keeper and into the net from 15 yards. Great finish. As soon as the goal went in it seemed to settle us down.

Copenhagen had their fair share of possession last night but found it difficult to open us up and this was another thing that for the most part, encouraged me again.



I had been talking on my blog about Chelsea playing with pace with the ball, but at the same time it's important that we push up and squeeze the play and shut down the opposition in midfield when they have the ball. For 90% of the game we were really impressive last night. Ramires, Essien, Lampard and Malouda worked hard to close the ball down and if we keep playing like that we will make it hard for sides to play against us. I cannot underestimate how impressed I was with our defensive work last night.

If the ball was played up to their forward line then once more led by the hard working JT, closed the ball down. Cole, Bosingwa and Ivanovic did the same and it was really good to see. Let's think back to the game, Cech had a few saves to make but none of them ever really worried him or caused him any problems.

We killed the game off and you could say won the tie with Anelka's second goal. Again slick passing in midfield found Frank Lampard and with his instant reverse pass across Anelka's body, Anelka was onto it right side of the box and again, first time, he struck the ball cleanly into the bottom corner giving the keeper no chance. Fantastic pass from Lampard getting in behind the front two supporting them.

It was game over. OK we had a few half chances as per the ones I mentioned with Torres but it was comfortable for us. A professional performance and one that Carlo and supporters like me can take many positives from.

We played well last night and looked dangerous, created chances, worked hard without the ball and gave the man on the ball plenty of options to pass to. I haven't seen any papers or articles yet, but if there are any about Torres then I say ignore them. Last night you could see what a full weeks training with the lads has done for him and with yet another free week now before the United game things will get better and better.

For now, Mr Anelka makes the headlines and quite rightly so. The guy is world class with the ball at his feet, has pace to burn and a killer instinct. With his two goals he put the icing on a great performance from Chelsea last night.

Let's not get carried away though, there is till plenty of work to be done but last night was a good start and foundation to build on!.

Carefree & KTBFFH everyone!

CD.