Portsmouth 1 Chelsea 3

Last updated : 27 July 2002 By -

Chelsea began today’s game in a 4-3-3 formation. The side lined up as follows:-

13 Carlo Cudicini

2 Mario Melchiot
5 William Gallas
6 Marcel Desailly(c)
3 Celestine Babayaro

8 Frank Lampard


4 Joe Keenan
7 Enrique De Lucas

9 Jesper Gronkjaer
10 Gianfranco Zola
11 Boudewijn Zenden

The Chelsea bench is: 1 Ed De Goey, 12 Mario Stanic, 14 Joel Kitamirike, 15 Valerio Di Cesare, 16 Warren Cummings, 17 Robert Wolleaston, 18 Filipe Oliveira, 19 Albert Ferrer, 20 Robert Huth.

Oliveira scored a stunning goal at Oxford in midweek and he was again on the score sheet at Fratton Park, helping the Blues to a 3-1 victory over Portsmouth.

The 18-year-old, signed on a free-transfer from FC Porto, burst into the penalty area in the 55th minute to latch on to a pass from fellow substitute Robert Wolleaston before firing past Yoshi Kawaguchi.

Portsmouth had started brightly with Kevin Harper wasting a good opportunity in only the second minute when he dragged a shot wide with just Carlo Cudicini to beat.

But it was Chelsea who took the lead in the 13th minute thanks to a mistake from Kawaguchi.

Boudewijn Zenden retrieved a corner at the far post to cross into Frank Lampard's path but
Kawaguchi should have had little trouble in stopping his tame shot. The Japanese goalkeeper somehow managed to let the shot squirm underneath his body.

But Portsmouth were level seven minutes into the second half after Vincent Pericard and Svetoslav Todorov had replaced Dele Adebola and Mark Burchill in attack at half-time.

Harper crossed from the right for Pericard to score his second goal of the pre-season with a diving header from close range.

Oliveira soon restored Chelsea's lead and Robert Huth added a third goal in the 67th minute with a well-taken header at the far post.

Pompey failed to pick up his run from deep and Huth had little trouble in beating Kawaguchi with a powerful header after being picked out by the impressive Zola.

Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri declared himself satisfied with his side's performance as they beat Portsmouth 3-1.

Ranieri said: "I am pleased with the way things are going and this was another good workout for the players.

"I brought Marcel Desailly and Jesper Gronkjaer back but I think it was right they only played one half because we don't want to do too much too soon.

"I have a lot of young players at the club who are coming through and we are very happy with them".

stevefurlong@chelsea-mad.co.uk