Chelsea 2-0 Stoke City
Goals from Florent Malouda and Didier Drogba handed Chelsea a deserved victory over a resolute Stoke City, despite a Frank Lampard penalty miss.
The Blues were not quite at their imperious best but Carlo Ancelotti’s side were able to dispose of a Stoke side who had been widely written off before a ball had even been kicked. And though ultimately the Midlanders were soundly beaten, Tony Pulis and his players will be proud of a resilient performance that limited the free-scoring champions to just the two goals.
Wigan 0-6 Chelsea
Chelsea threw down an early marker for the season with a stunning 6-0 rout of Wigan Athletic.
Florent Malouda gave the champions an interval lead when he slotted home after Frank Lampard had bought a fine save out of Chris Kirkland, and Nicolas Anelka doubled the Blues’ advantage after the half-time break. The French striker – given an eighteen-match exile from representing his country – showed his quality to make it 3-0, before substitute Salomon Kalou added a quickfire double.
Chelsea 6-0 West Bromwich Albion
Chelsea have signalled their intent to defend their Premier League crown with a stunning 6-0 demolition of West Brom.
The hosts were ruthless and were able to romp to victory with apparent ease; the breakthrough taking a mere five minutes as Florent Malouda fired home. Didier Drogba opened his account for the season with a stunning free-kick before adding a further two strikes to complete the Premier League’s first opening day treble since 1997.
Chelsea 1-3 Manchester United
Chelsea’s early season woes continued with another below-par showing in their Community Shield defeat to Manchester United.
The Blues went a goal behind after Wayne Rooney’s sumptuous cross was finished by Luis Antonio Valencia, after earlier going close when Branislav Ivanovic forced a good save out of Edwin van der Sar. However United rallied and added a second when Javier Hernandez slotted home for a début goal.
Hamburger SV 2-1 Chelsea FC
A late goal foiled Chelsea as the Blues fell to a third successive pre-season defeat.
Frank Lampard had put the visiting side ahead with a tap-in when Michael Essien calmly picked him out as Hamburg goalkeeper Frank Rost rushed out, but Croatian star Mladen Petric lobbed home after Yuri Zhirkov sold Ross Turnbull short with a woeful back pass to restore parity.
Frankfurt 2-1 Chelsea
Chelsea’s pre-season preparations suffered a blow with a friendly defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt.
The Blues went behind when a mix-up between John Terry and goalkeeper Henrique Hilario allowed Patrick Ochs to score, although Frank Lampard did equalise in the second half.
Didier Drogba - 4
Florent Malouda - 4
Salomon Kalou - 3
Nicolas Anelka - 2
Frank Lampard - 1
Yossi Benayoun - 1