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Sports

Friday October 30, 2009

Ancelotti not getting carried away by free-scoring Blues

LONDON: Carlo Ancelotti played down Chelsea’s recent scoring run that has brought 13 goals in three games and warned his side will face a much sterner test at Bolton this weekend.

Ancelotti’s team cruised into the last eight of the League Cup on the back of a comprehensive 4-0 defeat of Gary Megson’s side on Wednesday and they meet again in a Premier League clash at the Reebok Stadium tomorrow.

Despite the comfortable nature of the victory that was achieved on the back of goals from Salomon Kalou, Florent Malouda, Deco and Didier Drogba, the Chelsea coach warned against complacency before a game that will test his side’s abilities away from home.

“It’s an impressive (tally), but for us the first thing is to play well and to win a game,” Ancelotti said.

“It happens we’ve won with large results, but that’s not so important. Rather, we want to win the games. We played the last three games very well, and Saturday can be another kind of match. We have to be ready to play a different match.”

Ancelotti’s mood has been lifted by the successful return from injury of key players Paulo Ferreira, Alex and, most notably, Joe Cole.

England winger Cole was outstanding in the weekend 5-0 defeat of Blackburn and again stood out in only his third start since returning from a serious knee injury.

Ancelotti said: “I think this is a very good moment for us. Above all, because the players who returned after injury came back very well.

“Joe Cole came back in the Blackburn game last match and did very well. Alex and Paulo Ferreira did a very intelligent match. It’s a very good moment. We have to continue and maintain this atmosphere.”

And he praised Cole’s return to form, adding: “This means that he worked very hard to rest his injury and arrived to play in good condition.

“I was surprised because, after eight months, it’s not easy to play like Joe has played these two games.”

The main concern for Ancelotti was the fitness of Hilario, the reserve keeper who was forced out of the game in the first-half with a head injury and was followed into the treatment room by Kalou.

“We are awaiting a scan (on Hilario),” said the Italian, who confirmed the keeper had concussion.

“We’re hoping he’ll be better in the next few days. Kalou had a little problem on his leg and I preferred to keep him rather than see him injured. It’ll be a different game on Saturday, but we’re ready to play a different game.”

Megson was disappointed his side capitulated so meekly but promised the weekend meeting with be a completely different affair, particularly because striker Kevin Davies will be back in the Wanderers line-up.

“I’m pleased to be playing them again on Saturday,” said Megson. “We need to put on a performance. That was a bit of a stroll.

“Our team will be different, not just in personnel but in approach, and I hope we’re a lot more wholehearted than it was here.” — AFP

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