Chelsea 4-0 Portsmouth: The Perfect Start

Scorers: J.Cole (I2'), Anelka (26'), Lampard (45'), Deco (89')

Starting Eleven:
Cech 
Bosingwa, Carvalho, Terry, A.Cole
Lampard, Mikel, Ballack
Deco, J.Cole
Anelka

Subs: Hilario, Bridge, Wright-Phillips, Malouda (on 38), Di Santo, Alex, Ferreira (on 83).

Chelsea had a perfect start to the season as we smashed four goals past Redknapp's clueless Pompey. In what was a perfect start to the campaign, both Deco and Bosingwa made impressive debuts and Deco was awarded man of the match after he rounded off his efforts for the day with a stunning 30-yard shot to beat David James.

Stamford Bridge saw some of the best football played there in recent times. Chelsea dominated the game completely, with accurate, slick passes and great movement in the midfield. It was like all the Pompey players were invisible, except of course the goalkeeper whose efforts meant Portsmouth were punished with four only.

Bosingwa made his debut alongside Terry, Carvalho and Cole in the defense. His recovery from the injury picked in the pre-season friendly was fast and he made it to the squad.

But, Essien didn't. Essien's unavailability meant Mikel did the defensive role in the midfield. Scolari had a line-up that was predictable, but what we were to see was never predicted. Anelka played the lone man upfront with Joe Cole supporting him.

In the first half, Chelsea showed all its class and quality with overwhelming possession and great passing. Deco demonstrated his range and vision with deft touches and accurate passes, while Lampard and Ballack were exquisite and calm. The ball rarely went behind Mikel, who was sitting pretty in the Makalele role.

To add to the worries of Pompey, both Chelsea fullbacks were attacking down the flanks. Ashley Cole, given the freedom to go forward did so with grit and flair while Bosingwa was impressive with his runs and crossing. Anelka played as if he wanted to prove a point and that Kalac wasn't the only reason he scored four in the last pre-season match.

The things that impressed me most was that all the players were involved and wanted the ball. Whenever Pompeys had the ball, they were closed down quickly and the ball was snatched with determination and ease.

The last season had given enough reasons for motivation and it showed. It took eight minutes for Lampard to register his first shot, a long range shot that forced David James into action. After watching the early stages of the game, the first goal was just a matter of time, and the match was about how many.

Ze German showed his class when his perfect pass found Joe, after Anelka and Deco combined to initiate the move. Joe was through on goal and beat James with a low shot to the far post. Eight minutes later, Anelka should have doubled the lead having beaten the offside trap, but his low shot was straight at James.

The second goal came as Deco found Anelka somehow from a Bosingwa pass and the Frenchman headed into an empty post. Ballack was forced to withdraw in the 37th minute and Malouda replaced him, though he played on left flank. But nothing changed for Pompey. Hreidarsson handled inside the area when Pompeys were looking to escape the first half with minimum damage and Lampard scored his first this season with ease.

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