Cech gives Grant a festive headache

With back-up goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini ruled out by a rib injury sustained in training, Portuguese third-choice goalkeeper Hilario stepped off the bench at Blackburn for his first match since January.

Cech, who will have scans today on an injury to his side, must be rated doubtful for the Boxing Day clash against Aston Villa and Grant does not have another goalkeeper as back-up to Hilario.

Joe Cole fired the 22nd-minute winner that allowed Chelsea to reduce the gap on leaders Arsenal once more to six points, although Chelsea lived on their nerves as Blackburn hit the woodwork twice. Cech, who wears a protective helmet following the horrific head injury he sustained against Reading 14 months ago, was hurt yesterday in a collision with home striker Roque Santa Cruz at the start of the second half.

He carried on after lengthy treatment but, having signalled at one stage he wanted to come off, decided he could not take goal kicks and was substituted after 64 minutes. Grant said: "I wanted to take him off before but he said he wanted five more minutes, so we waited.

"As for the Villa game, we need to wait and see. He will have scans on his side tomorrow."

Chelsea will take no chances with Cech, who fractured his skull at the Madejski Stadium last season.

The home crowd were furious at Chelsea's spoiling tactics as they played out the six minutes added on for Cech's injury and substitutions by blatantly wasting time in the corners. But Grant, in a throwback to Jose Mourinho's complaints about Ewood Park, said: "I can't say it was one of our best games but it is not easy to play on this pitch.

"I was happy with the spirit we showed. We created two or three more chances apart from the goal, and it was important to take three points, especially with the other three teams, Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool doing the same."

Chelsea will still be without captain John Terry and striker Didier Drogba against Villa, as well as having a potential dilemma over goalkeepers. Grant said: "I can't lie and say that it's easy.

"It's difficult to play for a long time with so many injuries. I don't like it, but I can't do anything about it. It was a difficult match for Hilario to come in and he did very well. He made one very good save."

Blackburn manager Mark Hughes said: "I was more than happy with our firsthalf performance. Our play was dynamic, we were creating chances and David Bentley was causing them a problem.

"But we got hit by a sucker punch, which is a big part of their game. They are very adept then at defending a lead, they get players behind the ball and are very good at running down the clock.

"Against lesser opponents, we would have won that game, but it's difficult to draw Chelsea out. They have great resources. We just need to get our noses in front, and it will turn round for us.

"We are still six or seven points better off than at this stage last season, and we are stronger in the second half of the campaign. It is a marathon, not a sprint."