Blues win at Britannia (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Blues win at Britannia

9:00pm Saturday 27th September 2008 in

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Chelsea coach Luiz Filipe Scolari is beginning to make his mark at Stamford Bridge as he guided his side to a 2-0 victory at Stoke.

Former Porto full-back Jose Bosingwa scored his first goal for the club then set up the second goal for substitute Nicolas Anelka.

Tony Pulis' side knuckled down and gave a gritty performance, especially in the second half but Chelsea's class was apparent.

Michael Ballack tried his luck from distance and goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen did well to tip his effort over.

Ballack and Frank Lampard had a couple of chances each early on before Stoke hit back and from Liam Lawrence's corner in the 35th minute. Richard Cresswell picked out Mamady Sidibe whose effort was smothered by Petr Cech.

A minute later Chelsea took the lead. Bosingwa cushioned a pass from Lampard on his chest before sending a shot beyond Sorensen into the corner via Andy Griffin on the line.

Chelsea began the second half in the same attacking vein and Sorensen made two saves in two minutes.

The Danish shot-stopper turned away a strike from Lampard in the 47th minute and then pushed Florent Malouda's effort onto the bar, but Stoke were beginning to have some possession, especially after Ricardo Fuller stepped of the bench to replace Dave Kitson.

Leon Cort came close to to marking his return to the side by equalising, only for John Mikel Obi to get back and clear his header off the line.

Chelsea sealed it in the 76th minute after a mistake by Abdoulaye Faye. The former Newcastle central defender only succeeded in chesting Bosingwa's cross into the path of Anelka and he took full advantage of the gift.