LONDON // It all went like a Clockwork Orange for Chelsea in the first 45 minutes yesterday as they brutally tore Blackpool to shreds. The promoted club in their tangerine kit suffered a vicious mauling, but like Stanley Kubrick's classic cinematic depiction of gang violence, there was a savage beauty about it all. Some of the touches, passing and movement of Didier Drogba - the captain in the absence of John Terry - and Florent Malouda in particular were jaw dropping.
Chelsea raced into a four-goal lead as they maintained their emphatic start to the season. But after half time, by their standards, it went a bit pear shaped as they lost their way and even when chances arrived, Chelsea were suddenly toothless. So the obvious question is: have Chelsea peaked a bit too early ? Will their true level be properly examined in the next two Premier League games against much sterner opposition - away at Manchester City followed by a home game against Arsenal ?
Could it be that a cosy opening five games has left them a little complacent? Carlo Ancelotti, the manager, was honest enough to admit: "Maybe we have had a bit of an easy start, but don't take away the credit for some of the fantastic football we have played. "But yes our next games will be more difficult. It will be an interesting test against Manchester City. But I am sure we will be able to continue playing at this level. We are confident of our ability to play against the big teams."
It took just 72 seconds for Chelsea to take the lead and so end any chance of the match being a meaningful contest when Salomon Kalou slotted home at the far post after Branislav Ivanovic had flicked on a Drogba corner. Ten minutes later Malouda had a simple finish when Drogba unselfishly set him up after being released by a superb pass by Michael Essien. Chelsea took a little breather but in the 30th minute the omnipotent Drogba decided it was time to crank it up again.
Receiving a short pass on the edge of the area he instantly swivelled and shot a flashing strike past Matthew Gilks, the goalkeeper, with the aid of a deflection. Eleven minutes later, the striker turned schemer as Drogba dropped deep into midfield then sent Malouda clear with a sublime pass using the outside of his right foot. It was stunning football. At the break it seemed a question of whether Chelsea would break the Premier League record of nine goals in a game previously achieved only by Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
But Ancelotti's men lost their focus and concentration. In fact, they returned so lacking in ambition that Blackpool even managed to create a few chances, most notably in the 50th minute when DJ Campbell sprung the offside trap, chased down the ball and managed to squeeze a shot past Petr Cech. But even then it must have felt like banging their heads against a brick wall as Ivanovic popped up to clear off the line.
Ian Holloway, the Blackpool manager, said: "We are light years behind them. They are world class. Credit to them - unlike some other teams who have taken us for granted, the champions didn't - and at least we drew the second half." It was such an anticlimax that some Chelsea fans might well have left a bit disappointed at the end. Yes there were even some ironic boos at the final whistle which was a bit surreal for a team who have made such a compelling start to the season.
As for Blackpool, their dream start appears to be over and, despite an impressive seven points from their first five games a relegation battle still looks a possibility. @Email:sports@thenational.ae