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Chelsea begins campaign in style

— PHOTO: AP

Joe Cole.

LONDON: Chelsea began Premier League life under Luiz Felipe Scolari on Sunday by thoroughly outclassing visiting Portsmouth 4-0.

Chelsea, which last season finished runner-up to Manchester United in England and in the Champions League, easily beat the 2008 FA Cup winner at Stamford Bridge with goals by Joe Cole, Nicolas Anelka, Frank Lampard and the debut-making Deco.

Impressive show

It was an impressive performance against a side many observers have tipped to challenge for fifth place and possibly another trophy this season, and Chelsea exhibited far more flair than under Scolari’s predecessor as manager, Avram Grant.

Grant took Chelsea to within two points of United in the Premier League and just a shootout short of the Champions League title. Sunday’s win suggested that Scolari’s guidance and the extra attacking guile of Deco could be what Chelsea needs to go one step better.

Erratic passing

Portsmouth’s erratic passing wasted much of the little possession the visitors did have, while Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe struggled to link up in attack, but Chelsea exploited the weaknesses ruthlessly in front of an uncharacteristically loud crowd of 41,468.

Chelsea had already spurned at least two chances and forced several interventions from goalkeeper David James before it took the lead in the 12th minute.

James had punched the ball off Ricardo Carvalho’s head and saved a fierce 25-yard half-volley from Lampard when Cole beat him. Michael Ballack hit a disguised pass over the defence with the outside of his left boot and Cole calmly collected it before hitting his shot past the onrushing James.

Nodding it in

But he was powerless in the 26th when Jose Boswinga swung in a deep cross from the right that Deco met at the back post. Deco’s lofted pass back to the middle of the six-yard box took James out of play and Anelka leapt highest to nod the ball in from close range.

Portsmouth responded with a fierce free-kick wide of the post from Younes Kaboul, who played in central defence for Tottenham last season but appeared in a midfield role on his Pompey debut.

But that effort was followed swiftly by another from Anelka that went just past the post.

Lampard, who gave Chelsea a major pre-season boost this week when he signed a new five-year contract that will likely tie him to the club for the rest of his career, stepped up to send the resulting kick past James.

Lucky break

Carvalho was lucky not to concede a penalty in the 65th when his sliding block of Kranjcar’s shot hit his arm, but, although the pace slowed as the match wore on, Chelsea’s grip on the game remained solid.

The one time Crouch and Defoe did link up properly, Defoe sent his partner’s headed flick well wide of the post.

Chelsea was so comfortable that Scolari withdrew Joe Cole to a standing ovation to give Shaun Wright-Phillips a 12-minute cameo.

The game appeared to be coming to a quiet end in the 89th when Deco was given space about 25 yards from goal and unleashed a swerving shot so fierce that James could not keep it out.

The result: Chelsea 4 (Joe Cole 12, Anelka 26, Lampard 45+1-pen, Deco 89) bt Portsmouth 0.

Saturday’s result: Sunderland 0 lost to Liverpool 1 (Torres 83). — AP

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