Town's FA Cup run came to an end as superb second half freekicks from Michael Ballack and Frank Lampard saw Chelsea to a 3-1 victory at Stamford Bridge. The Blues matched the Champions League finalists for spells with Alex Bruce equalising Ballack's opener before the break.

Jim Magilton made just the one change from the side which defeated Crystal Palace 4-1 last week, David Wright coming into the side at left-back for Dan Harding.

Chelsea started strongly and within the first minute Wright had pulled off a save from Florent Malouda and Ballack had lashed the rebound wide.

For Town, Danny Haynes shot wide from a Jon Walters cross after fine work from Pablo Couñago before Ballack missed a golden chance to put his side in front. David Wright missed a cross from the left, giving the German a free shot at goal from inside the area, but fortunately for the Blues his effort flew well wide.

However, the home side would have to wait until only the 15th minute to go in front. Frank Lampard's long pass found Ashley Cole unmarked on the edge of the area having got away from marker Danny Haynes. The England international sent in a low ball which Ballack diverted beyond Wright.

Two minutes later, Alex Bruce picked up the game's first yellow card for a foul on Lampard, although both the former West Ham man and Ashley Cole tried to persuade referee Alan Wiley not to book the Town defender.

Lampard shot wide, then Tommy Miller went narrowly over with a freekick from the edge of the area on the left.

Town got back on terms in the 32nd minute from a freekick after Ricardo Cavalho had fouled Couñago 35 yards out, just to the right of centre. Owen Garvan's ball into the box struck Cavalho, then Gareth McAuley before falling to Alex Bruce, who hammered home from five yards for his second goal for Town.

The goal seemed to give the Blues belief and in the 35th minute they could have gone in front. Garvan sent Walters away on the right, the former Chester man whipping in a cross from the right to Danny Haynes on the penalty spot, but the former academy man mistimed his shot and the ball flew into the upper tier of the stand. It was a good chance and Haynes should at least have tested keeper Petr Cech.

Chelsea's performance, which had started very strongly, had drifted after the first 20 minutes or so and Town were causing one or two moments of danger in and around the box, largely from Couñago and Walters combining.

On 37 Miller struck a 25-yard effort at Cech, prior to Town switching Walters and Haynes, presumably to reduce the threat presented by Ashley Cole operating in a very advanced left-back role. Just before the break, Richard Wright saved from Jose Bosingwa down to his left.

The Town players were applauded off at the whistle having shown great spirit to get back into the game after Chelsea had started the game well and had gone in front. The Blues might even have been in front had Danny Haynes taken his chance.

Chelsea got in two early strikes at the beginning of the second period, Lampard's effort going through to Wright and then Salomon Kalou's strike flying wide.

On 56 and elaborate Chelsea freekick on the edge of the area ended with Lampard lashing the ball high and wide. Moments later Didier Drogba replaced Malouda as Chelsea moved to 4-4-2.

Just before the hour Garvan was booked for a foul on Nicolas Anelka and from the resulting freekick Chelsea went back in front, Ballack getting the ball over the wall and into the corner of the net with pace. As the teams lined-up for the restart, Kevin Lisbie replaced Danny Haynes.

Walters chipped a shot just wide from the edge of the area as the Blues sought to get back on terms, but Town were less of a force after the break with Couñago in particular much quieter.

On 64 Richard Wright was out quickly to save from Kalou after good work from Lampard, although there was a hint of offside.

Ballack's shot was blocked, then Bosingwa's rebound was saved by Wright and Kalou headed over as Chelsea spent much of the game in and around the Town area. Jon Stead replaced Jon Walters for Town, then Deco took over from Ballack for the home side.

Town were rarely threatening Petr Cech's goal and should have done better with two corners, with Garvan and then Miller failing to get the ball beyond the first defender.

As the game moved into the final 10 minutes, a fine Blues move down the right ended with Stead shooting wide from the edge of the area. It was a decent opportunity and again Cech probably ought to have been worked. Alan Quinn took over from Tommy Miller.

Lisbie was just unable to get a toe to Stead's cross from the right, prior to David Norris picking up what seemed a harsh yellow card for a foul on Drogba. From the freekick, Chelsea sealed their victory. This time Lampard took the kick and hammered a shot over the wall and into the net, Wright being beaten for sheer pace.

Lisbie flicked a header to Cech, but by then the game was lost, despite a valiant effort from the Blues.

A defeat maybe, but a decent enough performance from the Blues. As at Palace last week it was mainly a display of counter-attacking football and Town created one or two chances against the Champions League finalists, in addition to the goal from the set piece.

The Blues were best in a 20-minute spell before the break when Couñago was more involved but never replicated that period of the game in the second half. However, there were dogged displays throughout the side, particularly from the likes of David Norris and Gareth McAuley, while David Wright again impressed at left-back, Richard Wright in goal and Pim Balkestein looked assured at centre-half, despite his lack of experience.

Back to league action at Barnsley on Tuesday when a performance at anything like the level of today's display ought to see the Blues to their sixth away victory of the season.

Town: R Wright, Bruce, D Wright, McAuley, Balkestein, Garvan, Miller (Quinn 80), Haynes (Lisbie 58), Norris, Walters (Stead 70), Couñago. Unused: Supple, Sumulikoski, Bowditch, Thatcher. Att: 41,137.

Photo: Action Images

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