Chelsea mark Hiddink's final home game with win
Florent Malouda continued his fine scoring form with the opening goal
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Sunday, 17, May 2009 08:53
Chelsea beat Blackburn Rovers 2-0 at Stamford Bridge in Guus Hiddink's final home match in charge.
Goals from Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka made it a game to remember for Hiddink, who will leave his post after the FA Cup final against Everton.
And Chelsea will feel two goals was the least they deserved after creating a hatful of chances.
They scored with their first effort on target with Nicolas Anelka's cross from the right headed in by the in-form Malouda on four minutes.
Both sides continued to carve out chances with Ryan Nelsen heading over from El Hadji Diouf's cross, while at the other end Anelka poked his shot straight at Paul Robinson.
Frank Lampard then rattled the bar with a trademark long-range effort, while Robinson parried Ashley Cole's shot minutes later.
Cech was then called into action after beating away Morten Gamst Pedersen's shot on the half-hour mark.
Huddink's men seized control of the second half and felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Cole was tugged back by Keith Andrew, but referee Rob Styles waved play on.
And Cole was involved in the Blues' second goal when his cross fell to Didier Drogba, who laid the ball off for Anelka to lash in his 18th league goal of the season.
The same pair combined minutes later with this time Anelka turning provider, but Drogba blazed his effort over.
Sam Allardyce's men offered little in response, with their best chance falling to Tugay whose swerving effort was blocked by Cech.
Robinson continued to be the busier keeper and made a flying save to keep out Michael Essien's thunderous shot late on as Chelsea closed out a deserved victory.