Blues control

Thompson: impressed by Cole

Chelsea deserved it. Without playing great, great football they were well in control of this game.

Phil Thompson
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Teams

• Chelsea
• Stoke City

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• Match Report

Stoke City 0-2 Chelsea
Soccer Saturday analysis

Phil Thompson felt Chelsea were always in control against Stoke, despite not playing to their maximum.

Jose Boswingwa bagged his first goal in Chelsea colours in the first half before Nicolas Anelka wrapped up the points after capitalising on a mistake by Abdoulaye Faye to make it 2-0.

Thompson feels there is more to come from Chelsea, but he was hugely impressed with their movement and their work-rate.

"They played exceptionally well today," he told Soccer Saturday.

"This was always going to be a difficult game because you know what Stoke are like. They are extremely one-dimensional, they get the ball forward to the tall players and their commitment was fantastic.

"In the first half it was all Chelsea and there was a fantastic attitude from everyone; Michael Ballack and Frank Lampard showed some fine rotational movement.

"Stoke couldn't get near them. Rory Delap didn't play so they didn't have his long throws to fall back on and they are a little bit toothless when he doesn't play."

Quality

After Chelsea's dominant first half, Thompson said Stoke tried to attack after the break, which gave Chelsea more space to show their quality.

And after scoring through a mistake from Faye, they wrapped the points on a good day for the Stamford Bridge faithful.

"Chelsea deserved it. Without playing great, great football they were well in control of this game, Thompson added.

"In the second half, Stoke actually started to play and it was almost a shame when the second goal came.

"Bosingwa's good ball from the right-hand side went into the box and Faye, who'd been magnificent for Stoke, went down on his knees to chest it and it's come off the top of his thigh and fell invitingly for Nicolas Anelka and he dispatched it for 2-0.

"In the second half Stoke had to have a little bit of a go and they tried. They're limited in what they do and that's not having a dig at them by any means - but then Chelsea started to play.

"Some of the possession was fantastic. Rotational movement with everybody getting involved.

"I must say Ashley Cole is playing as good as I've ever seen him. He's had a hard time at Chelsea but for me he's showing the old Ashley Cole. He's getting down the flanks and supporting Florent Malouda.

"The fellow that's enjoying it in the absence of Michael Essien is John Obi Mikel. He's playing and dominating in that role just in front of the defence.

"All round they'll be more than happy."