Brief: Chelsea 7 – Ipswich 0
Ipswich came to Stamford Bridge for the FA Cup 3rd round without recently sacked manager Roy Keane, and, with Chelsea’s play being somewhat indifferent, were looking to impress and take something from the game.
Carlo Ancelotti changed some key players and bought in McEachran, Sturridge, Van Aanholt and, in the later stages, Bruma and Kakuta made a showing. On the bench was the cavalry of Malouda, Drogba, Essien and Ferreira just in case they were needed but as it happened, we need not have worried.
From the first whistle Ipswich were up against it. The holders were well into their stride but had to wait 33 minutes before the returning Kalou turned over the line a shot from Anelka that was going in, if a tad in slow motion. The impressive Sturridge made it two and an own goal from a Lampard free kick, saw Chelsea into the break three nil up and a relaxing second half beckoned for the team, and the supporters!
Further goals from Anelka, Sturridge and two from the ever improving Frank Lampard saw us end the game as 7-0 winners. This left Ipswich Town making their way back to Suffolk, well and truly beaten and Chelsea on their way to Everton for a round four draw against The Toffees.
Is this a turning point for Chelsea? Only time will tell. Most will say it was only Ipswich but, a wins a win, especially an impressive one such as this.
“Win or Lose – Up the Blues”
Game stats from the BBC website:
Chelsea 7-0 Ipswich
(HT 3-0)
Kalou 33
Sturridge 33
Edwards (og) 41
Anelka 49
Sturridge 52
Lampard 78
Lampard 79
Chelsea
01 Cech
02 Ivanovic
17 Bosingwa
26 Terry
38 Van Aanholt (Bruma 70)
07 Ramires
08 Lampard
46 McEachran
21 Kalou (Kakuta 55)
23 Sturridge
39 Anelka
Substitutes
40 Hilario, 19 Ferreira, 43 Bruma, 05 Essien, 15 Malouda, 11 Drogba, 44 Kakuta
Ipswich
21 Fulop
02 Peters
04 McAuley
22 Brown
48 O’Dea
07 Edwards
08 Norris – yellow card
24 Healy
39 Kennedy
09 Wickham (Priskin 63)
10 Scotland (Murray 49)
Substitutes
12 Lee-Barrett, 05 Delaney, 20 Smith, 23 Eastman, 26 Civelli, 16 Priskin, 28 Murray
Ref: D’Urso
Att: 41,654