Ivanovic late show breaks Rovers´ resistance

A late goal from Branislav Ivanovic saw Chelsea defeat Blackburn 2-1 here Saturday to maintain the champions’ five-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

Ivanovic struck six minutes from time to see the Londoners snatch all three points as Carlo Ancelotti’s men came from behind to maintain their title challenge at Ewood Park.

Earlier, Nicolas Anelka had levelled for the Blues after Benjani Mwarurwari had fired Blackburn into the lead.

Benjani’s goal was the first goal Chelsea had conceded in 502 minutes, more than eight hours of football since the 4-3 Carling Cup defeat to Newcastle in September.

The visitors dominated possession for the first quarter of an hour and worked a fine opening after several quick passes in central midfield.

Anelka fed Ivanovic and the Serb hit a cross that just evaded the unmarked Didier Drogba six yards from goal.

However Blackburn were also causing problems of their own for Chelsea.

Australian midfielder Brett Emerton broke clear of John Terry but his attempt to cross to Benjani was blocked by Alex. And Morten Gamst Pedersen’s thumping effort from 25 yards bounced away off Terry.

Terry was once again alert to block Mame Biram Diouf after the Senegalese attacker burst into the area from Pedersen’s pass.

As Blackburn continued to threaten, a slip from Petr Cech almost allowed the hosts to take the lead.

Benjani knocked wide to Mame Diouf and as the on-loan Manchester United man chipped, Cech lost his balance, only to tip away the shot.

Zimbabwean Benjani should have done better when he collected a pass from Emerton and drove into the box only to shoot straight at Cech and then head the rebound to the goalkeeper.

Making his first start for Rovers, Benjani then drove wide of goal from just outside the area.

Blackburn’s pressure told when Chelsea failed to clear and Diouf crossed and Terry’s header flicked off Benjani and into the corner of the net.

Chelsea attempted a response seven minutes before the break when Michael Essien’s toe-poke flew just wide of Paul Robinson’s goal.

And a couple of minutes later they drew level with a goal from Anelka.

Cech kicked to Florent Malouda on the left and the Frenchman hit a long cross-field pass.

Ryan Nelsen and Martin Olsson ran into each other and Drogba knocked down for Anelka, who spotted the opening quicker than Phil Jones, to touch past Robinson.

Malouda drove well over the bar at the start of the second period before Blackburn’s Chris Samba hit a shot that went out for a throw.

Ashley Cole should have pulled Chelsea in front but shot wide at the far post from Malouda’s cross.

Yuri Zhirkov also brought a fine save from Robinson after Malouda’s cross ran across the box.

Blackburn also had a near-miss when Diouf’s free kick deflected off Jason Roberts and was turned into the side-netting at the far post by Mame Biram Diouf.

Chelsea substitute Daniel Sturridge went close when he cut in from the right and drilled a shot just wide from 25 yards.

Mama Biram Diouf had a header saved at the far post from David Dunn’s cross and Diouf then sent Roberts through, only for the substitute to curl wide.