Allardyce hails Chelsea as ´champions-elect´

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce believes his side were beaten by the team destined to win the Premier League this season after Chelsea battled to a 2-1 victory at Ewood Park.

Carlo Ancelotti’s defending champions were stunned by an opening goal from Benjani Mwaruwari, the Zimbabwe forward’s first in almost two years.

But a Nicolas Anelka equaliser before the interval on Saturday was followed by a dramatic late winner from Serbian defender Branislav Ivanovic, which secured three points and maintained the west London club’s five-point lead over second placed Arsenal.

The resilient nature of Chelsea’s win convinced Allardyce that, barring costly injuries, the Blues have the wherewithal to hold off the Manchester clubs, Arsenal and any other potential challengers, as they attempt to retain the English crown.

“I think they look like champions again,” he said. “They have a very, very experienced squad with a few young players who are gaining experience.

“It will be about not getting too many injuries in the wrong areas for them – as it is for all of us. You have to keep your best players fit.

“They have strength in depth and they have the punishing side of the game as well.

“They are ruthless. When they are losing or being outplayed, they hang in there.

“Look at their first goal – quality. They make two passes and with the third pass, it’s a goal.

“They have outstanding quality that can punish you at any time. The ball for Ivanavic’s goal was an outstanding ball.”

Blues boss Ancelotti carried a characteristically unemotional air in post-match interviews although he did not attempt to disguise the importance of his team’s victory – even if he did see them concede a league goal for the first time in 501 minutes.

“It was an important result, obviously,” he said. “It is very difficult to play here and the win meant we maintained our position at the top of the league.

“We were prevented from playing in the first half. They put us under strong pressure in the first half and they stopped us playing our football, but in the second half we were lucky but played much better.

“We knew that this is a hard place to come. Every team has difficulty winning here. Blackburn at home are a very good team.

“It was very important to win here and stay top. We are in a good position and are confident we will improve with this victory.”

Although it was hard to detect, Ancelotti’s mood must have been helped by the display of Russian Yuri Zhirkov who crossed for Ivanovic’s winning goal, to cap a thoroughly effective all-round individual performance.

“I said that when Yuri Zhirkov scored against Spartak Moscow in the Champions League his confidence improved,” Ancelotti said.

“He is now playing continuously and is showing good performances. He made the assist against Wolves and did it again.

“He is a very efficient player and showed that when he replaced (injured) Ashley Cole (at left-back) last season.”

Meanwhile, despite the impressive manner of his team’s display, Allardyce was forced to concede that the league table makes alarming reading for his side as they attempt to avoid becoming embroiled in a relegation fight.

“We played as well as we possibly can but needed to convert more of the chances we created into goals,” he said.

“It was pleasing to create so many chances against such a big team and to give them such a good game but we got the ultimate kick in the teeth.

“You have to punish the opposition when you get chance because a team as good as Chelsea will take full advantage if you don’t.”