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Ancelotti admits Chelsea were 'lucky' to beat Blackburn

Chelsea were relieved to escape with victory © PA Photos

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Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti admitted his side were "lucky" as they came from behind to beat Blackburn 2-1 and keep their healthy Premier League lead intact.

The champions had to rally from a rocky start at Ewood Park, eventually triumphing thanks to strikes from Nicolas Anelka and Branislav Ivanovic. However, just 60 seconds before Ivanovic's header, Jason Roberts spurned a glorious chance for Rovers.

Ancelotti said: "Blackburn could have scored before our goal and we were a little bit lucky. He [Roberts] could have closed the game. To win here was important because they were better. We were not great again. Blackburn put us under some pressure and we were not able to play our football.

"We knew it would be difficult to win here because Blackburn are a very good team with a lot of strength and physical ability and long balls. So it is very important to win here to maintain our position at the top. We are in good condition now and I hope we improve on this victory."

Ancelotti also singled out Yury Zhirkov for special praise after the midfielder's sensational work down the left flank set up Ivanovic's chance to grab the points.

"We were [heading for] a draw then we had the fantastic play of Zhirkov and we were able to win this game," added Ancelotti. "He is playing good football and working for the team."

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce was left to bemoan his side's series of missed chances but also paid tribute to Chelsea's ability to rescue three points out of nowhere.

"They've got a punishing side to their game and they're ruthless," said the Rovers manager. "When they're being out-played - and we out-played them at times - they hang in there. They're not in the game and they're not looking like scoring and we're in the ascendancy, then with three passes it's a goal. That outstanding quality can punish you at any time."

Of Roberts' glaring miss, Allardyce added: "Jason did everything right apart from hitting it six inches wide. It should be 2-1 with six minutes to go. One minute later it's 2-1 to them and that's a bitter pill for us."

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