Lampard header saves the day for Chelsea

Blackburn 0 Chelsea 1

Frank Lampard directed a second-half header past Paul Robinson as wobbly Chelsea clung onto a precious clean sheet to secure the points at Blackburn.

Blues boss Andre Villas-Boas knew his side could not countenance any more dropped points after two consecutive Barclays Premier League defeats including their 5-3 loss to Arsenal.

And while Lampard did the business by stooping to nod home a low Branislav Ivanovic cross on 50 minutes, struggling Rovers had numerous late chances to claim at least a draw.

In a stirring reaction to Lampard's opener, Rovers poured forward with both Grant Hanley and Ayegbeni Yakubu bringing fine saves out of visiting goalkeeper Petr Cech.

And with four minutes left on the clock Ivanovic almost gifted Rovers a point when his attempted clearance from a Morten Gamst Pedersen corner ricocheted back off the underside of the crossbar.

Ultimately the result left Rovers rooted in the bottom three while a plane circled Ewood Park trailing a banner which bore the slogan 'Steve Kean Out'.

The airborne distraction had provided the only memorable moment of a tepid first half in which Chelsea were restricted to a first-minute effort from Daniel Sturridge which was saved by Robinson.

Blackburn almost went ahead in the ninth minute when Mauro Formica cut in from the right and crossed for Yakubu who stretched to prod the ball wide under pressure from the advancing Cech.

Cech required seven minutes of treatment for a facial injury in the resulting clash with the striker, during which time the Chelsea medical team worked to stem the flow of blood.

When play resumed, it was the home side who continued to press forward with confidence, with the increasingly impressive Ruben Rochina blazing wide from 20 yards.

The lively Sturridge failed a win a penalty when he fell under the challenge of Christopher Samba in the box, then moments later his cross from the left was just too strong for Juan Mata in front of goal.

Sturridge was caught narrowly offside racing onto a through-ball from Malouda then Lampard blazed over from 20 yards after a cross from Ivanovic.

Villas-Boas, desperate not to drop points which could leave them even further adrift of the Premier League summit, replaced the ineffective Malouda with Fernando Torres at the break.

But Rovers started the second period in lively fashion with Hoilett crossing in the box towards Formica, whose chance was foiled when Terry stabbed the ball away.

The visitors grabbed the lead in the 50th minute with only their second shot on target. Ivanovic turned inside Hoilett on the right and crossed for Lampard who directed a low header past Robinson.

But Rovers should have equalised four minutes later when Cech parried a Pedersen free-kick into the path of Hanley, who drilled the rebound straight into the prostrate keeper.

As the game belatedly sprang into life, Ramires had a goal-bound effort blocked in the box by Jason Lowe, then Lampard fired a long-ranger which was tipped over by Robinson.

Chelsea's defensive frailties were evident again in the 67th minute when Yakubu wriggled between Alex and John Terry before hitting a curling shot which Cech saved well.

Rovers had yet another chance to equalise in the 70th minute when Rochina found Formica in the right side of the Chelsea box and while his shot beat Cech it was booted clear by Ramires.

Then came Rovers' big chance four minutes from time when Pedersen swung in a corner and the ball ricocheted off the back of Ivanovic's head and against the underside of the bar.

Chelsea should have wrapped the game up in injury time when a one-two between Torres and Cole gifted the Spaniard the simplest of chances which he somehow spooned over the bar.

PA