A late Joe Cole strike settled the affair after Blues spurned countless chances to inflict a first defeat in English football on Jose Mourinho, and his team of 'superstars'.
Without the ineligable Mikael Forssell and the suspended Kenny Cunningham (serving the second and final game of his suspension) Steve Bruce had one or two decisions to make regarding the team selection. The surprise was the complete lack of involvement of Clinton Morrison, who wasn't even on the bench, for whatever reason. As a result, Bruce opted for a 4-5-1 formation, obviously designed to stifle Chelsea across the middle of the park, and allow more freedom for the wide players to attack. As such, Damien Johnson moved into a three man central midfield alongside Muzzy Izzet and Robbie Savage, with Julian Gray coming in wide on the left. Former Chelsea winger Jesper Gronkjaer remained on the right, with Emile Heskey designated the lone role up front.
Given the style of play that Johnson, Savage and Izzet employ, it was no surprise that Blues were soon bossing the midfield. The three were all terrier-like in their aggression and desire to win the ball back, and the likes of Frank Lampard and Claude Makelele were unable to cope. This also allowed Gronkjaer and Gray plenty of licence to attack on the flanks, with Mario Melchiot and Stan Lazaridis both offering plenty of support from the full-back positions.
Blues were dominating early on, with the visitors unable to break the Blues midfield down, and eventually being frustrated enough to hoof the ball forward looking for Didier Drogba and Eidur Gudjonssen, only to see Blues break at them. Blues went the closest to opening the scoring when the impressive Heskey capitalised on a defensive error and broke torwards Petr Cech's goal. In fairness, the Czech goalkeeper stood his ground well and never committed himself, eventually allowing him to glance Heskey's low drive wide of the post for a corner.
Blues continued to pressurise Mourinho's men, but the next clearcut opportunity actually fell to the former Marseille front man Drogba, who himself capitalised on a defensive blunder, but knocked the ball wide when he should have done better. Blues were soon back on top though, and were denied what many fans, and certainly Gray, Heskey and Gronkjaer felt was a clear penalty for handball.
As half time approached, Blues increased the pressure, searching for a goal to take them into the interval ahead. Heskey headed wide from an Izzet cross, before Izzet was again involved after a Johnson shot was blocked. The Turkey International teed up Gray who hit the post when well placed, and then blasted the rebound over the bar. It was 0-0 at half-time, but there was no doubt that Blues had been far and away the better team. Of course, in any game against one of the absolute top sides, which Chelsea certainly are, the fear is that if you don't take your chances, they may only need one or two themselves to make you pay.
Blues came out in the second half playing very much as they'd ended the first - it was telling that Mourinho felt the need to make a double substitution at half time, throwing on Tiago and Mateja Kezman for Alexei Smertin and Gudjonssen. Gray and Gronkjaer continued to cause problems down the flanks, whilst Heskey remained dominant against his England colleague John Terry. The clearcut chances though were becoming less frequent.
On a break, Geremi had an opportunity well saved by Maik Taylor, who would have been surprised at how little he'd had to do until that point. Blues peppered the Chelsea area with crosses, from wingers and full backs alike, but were possibly just lacking someone of Forssell's ilk to take advantage around Heskey in the box.
After an hour, Joe Cole was sent on for Geremi for Chelsea, and worringly for Blues, it was obvious that the likes of Lampard and Cole were getting in behind the Blues midfield more and more, perhaps as Blues piled forward seeking the goal they so deserved. Indeed, it was Cole who eventually broke the deadlock after 69 minutes, after cutting inside from the left and firing in a low right-footed drive. The shot appeared to take a deflection off Martin Taylor, but no matter, Chelsea were ahead.
Blues now struggled to up their game anymore, as they were now behind and chasing matters. Stern John was sent on for Gronkjear, which was perhaps a surprise given the danger the Dane posed, as Blues pushed forwards even more. Savage blazed a shot over the bar, and Blues won a succession of corners, but it was all looking increasingly like it would be to no avail.
As the game neared its conclusion, the hapless Drogba fired an effort high and wide when it appeared he only had to roll the ball into an empty net, before Heskey had a penalty appeal turned down when he was bundled over in the area in injury time. Chelsea held out though, for what may be a priceless three points for them in their title challenge. Even the staunchest of Chelsea fans though must surely concede that their team was second best on the day. Still, the top teams in Europe, such as Chelsea, get into a happy knack of winning when they perhaps don't deserve to - Mourinho's side have done it twice already this season, so good luck to them.
As for Blues, it was an immensely promising but ultimately fruitless display. Everyone should take great heart, however, for the way they dominated for long periods against one of Europe's top sides, filled with the worlds best players. Messrs Mourinho, Ferguson and Wenger will tell you though, that football is a results business - Blues have to win on tuesday night against Manchester City. If they play like this again, they should do.