Five-star Chelsea hammers Rovers

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Ancelotti, back in the dugout after visiting his seriously ill father in Italy in midweek, watched his side produce a fabulous performance against ragged Rovers to go two points clear at the summit.

Chelsea destroyed Sam Allardyce's side with two goals from Frank Lampard, one a penalty, plus others from Didier Drogba, Michael Essien and an own goal from Gael Givet.

Four goals in a 15-minute second half spell handed Rovers their biggest defeat since Allardyce took charge at Ewood Park and kept Ancelotti's 100% home record intact.

Chelsea broke the deadlock in the 20th minute with a goal of classic simplicity.

Michael Ballack fed Nicolas Anelka on the left flank with a superb low pass and when the France international crossed the ball into the six-yard box, it was turned past his own goalkeeper by the unfortunate Givet.

Chelsea, somewhat predictably, went further in front in the 48th minute through Lampard. Essien sent Drogba racing into the penalty area and his cross was only half cleared by Lars Jacobsen, leaving England midfielder Lampard to pick his spot from eight yards.

It was 3-0 in the 51st minute when Essien sent a 35-yard shot thundering beyond the despairing dive of Paul Robinson.

It got worse for Rovers in the 58th minute when central defender Ryan Nelsen brought down Drogba inside the penalty area and Lampard converted the spot-kick for his second of the game.

Drogba underlined Chelsea's superiority in the 63rd minute when he rose highest to head home a corner by Lampard to make it 5-0. It was the Ivory Coast international's eighth goal of the season.