Rampant Blues destroy Villa

Cole: Scored opener

Man of Match: Frank Lampard. Put in a magnificent performance, with a goal assist for Cole's goal and could have had several himself.

Moment of the match: Anelka's goal for Chelsea just before half-time to give the Blues a two-goal cushion for the second period. It was no more than the Blues deserved after dominating proceedings in the first-half

Attempt of the match: Anelka hit a well-struck long-range effort from outside the box which hit the bar and went over.

Save of the match: Friedel made several top-class saves, including a dive to his near-post to keep out a Malouda half-volley from the left edge of the box which went through Young's legs.

Talking point: Can Chelsea play any better than that? Their first-half display was fantastic.

Goal of the game: Cole's opener. Chelsea worked the ball well in from the left to Lampard who fed his England colleague on the right and Cole made no mistake.

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Chelsea continued their unbeaten start to the campaign with a comprehensive 2-0 victory over Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

The Blues were masterful in the first-half and Joe Cole deservedly put them in front on 21 minutes from a Frank Lampard pass.

The goal came as the Blues pushed down the left and worked the ball to Lampard in the middle who in turn fed it through to Cole on the right of the box and he made no mistake.

They then doubled their advantage a minute before half-time after another great move down the left.

Ashley Cole pulled the ball back from near the by-line to Michael Ballack in the middle who unleashed a powerful shot which Brad Friedel could only parry and Nicolas Anelka tucked away the rebound.

Villa were better in the second period but Chelsea coasted to a win which keeps them top.

Friedel's busy afternoon in goal for Villa started with two early saves.

The first effort was from Michael Ballack, who fizzed a drive from 25 yards, then Florent Malouda had a go from the left flank at a similar distance.

Frank Lampard had the first clear opening of the game, in the 18th minute, when Anelka found him with a cross, only for the England midfielder to head wide.

Opener

Cole took one touch and lashed his finish past Friedel and inside the near post, his third of the season.

Anelka could have doubled the lead when he cracked a drive from 30 yards but his effort smashed against the crossbar - starting the onslaught on Friedel's goal.

The American goalkeeper parried a Lampard free-kick and also denied Malouda with another skidding drive.

He also made a double save in the 43rd minute, but could not prevent Anelka tapping in the rebound. Ashley Cole had crossed from the left, Ballack's drive and Anelka's follow up were saved - but the Frenchman made sure with his next effort.

It was Anelka's last contribution as he was taken off at the break for Di Santo, while Villa took off Davies and Luke Young, with James Milner and Carlos Cuellar coming on.

Stiliyan Petrov did have an effort saved by Petr Cech - but then there was more attacking from Chelsea.

Worry

Then midfielder Cole picked up his apparent foot injury and hobbled down the tunnel, with Salomon Kalou taking his place.

Wastefulness from Ballack at close range, then a brave block from Friedel to deny Kalou, kept the score down. Kalou also had an overhead striker disallowed for offside - and another goal would not have flattered the hosts.