Chelsea Cruise To Opening Day Win

Chelsea began their 2008/2009 Premier League campaign this afternoon with an easy 4-0 win over Portsmouth.

It took only 12 minutes for Chelsea to take the lead, Joe Cole slotting home from Michael Ballack's sublime first time pass.

Nicolas Anelka then added a second in the 26th minute, heading in from Jose Bosingwa's cross.

Ballack was then substituted in the 37th minute, with Florent Malouda taking his place and Chelsea switching to a 4-3-3 formation.

A couple of minutes later Anelka almost got a second, knocking a weak Sol Campbell header past David James and the post.

Chelsea added a third before half time, Distin giving away the penalty and Lampard cooly slotting home his 111th Chelsea goal.

The Blues eased off in the second half, knowing victory was ensured. Chelsea continued to play the ball around with ease, and Deco sealed the victory in brilliant fashion with his first goal in English football.

There seemed to be little on when he picked the ball up around 30 yards from goal. However, the Portuguese international took a couple of touches before sending a rocket of a shot past David James and into the net.

It was a fine way to crown a fantastic afternoon for Chelsea, who go top of the league after today's result.

Luiz Felipe Scolari was understandably delighted with the result.

"It was more than I expect. We played very well and won 4-0, it's important and more important I think is that the fans of Chelsea saw a beautiful game and three points. It's okay," he smiled.

"We played as a team, closed the midfield, [passed] the ball and marked very well. What we trained in the last days [the players] put in the field and after 3-0 the game is easier for us.

"This is a Chelsea performance, we were training all week tactically to win the opening game, and the players put this in the field,' he continued. 'In the future we need more and more quality to win the Champions League or Premier League."

Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech; Bosingwa (Ferreira 83), Carvalho, Terry (c), A Cole; Ballack (Malouda 37), Mikel, Lampard; Deco, Anelka, J Cole (Wright-Phillips 77).

Goals J Cole 12, Anelka 26, Lampard 45+1 (pen), Deco 88

Portsmouth (4-4-2): James; Johnson, Distin, Campbell (c), Hreidarsson; Diop, Diarra (Mvuemba 67), Kaboul, Kranjcar (Thomas 72); Crouch, Defoe.

Booked James 45