Table-topping Chelsea travel to Ewood Park to take on Blackburn Rovers with a five-point cushion at the top of the Premier League.

Zhirkov continues to find himself in the thick of the action as the Russian gets down the left and drills a low cross into the box, but to no avail.

STAT: Blackburn have scored just one goal in total in their last eight Premier League games against Chelsea.

Zhirkov tussles with Mame Diouf, but the Chelsea midfielder concedes a free kick.

Emerton races clear down the right, but the Australian lacks conviction and Alex recovers as he dallies on the ball - he should have got a shot away at least!

Ivanovic hammers a raking long ball out to Malouda on the left, and the Serb has started very brightly.

What a chance! Ivanovic whips over a stunning delivery from the right, which Drogba does not manage to convert after mistiming his jump, and that was a real opportunity for the forward!

Ashley Cole gets down the left at pace, but his cross is cleared away effectively by Nelsen.

Samba does very well to clear under immense pressure from Drogba, and that is going to be an intriguing battle today.

Ivanovic plays the ball back to Cech with Emerton bearing down on goal ominously, and that is good solid defending.

Diouf, sporting a horrendous white strip of hair, powers down the left but is unable to get a decent cross in.

Anelka sees a lot of the ball outwide on the right, and the Frenchman wins an attacking throw in for his side with a bright run.

The first half is underway at Ewood Park, and Blackburn get us underway with Benjani playing the ball back to Samba.

A minute's silence is impeccably observed in remembrance of former England and Blackburn Rovers captain Ronnie Clayton, who died earlier this week at the age of 76, and a vociferous atmosphere followed it at kick off.

Russell thinks Chelsea will win easily, while UzUmAKi is bemused at Bosingwa being dropped to the bench with Ivanovic being preferred at right back. Harry is predicting a 3-0 win to the Blues. Post your shouts below...

The teams are in at Ewood Park, and Benjani starts in attack for the hosts, while Anelka, Drogba and Malouda form the familiar three-pronged attack for Chelsea. The referee is Peter Walton.

Blackburn: Robinson, Salgado, Samba, Nelsen, Givet, Jones, Mame Diouf, Emerton, Pedersen, El-Hadji Diouf, Mwaruwari. Subs: Bunn, Olsson, Dunn, Kalinic, Grella, Hoilett, Roberts

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Alex, Terry, Cole, Essien, Mikel, Zhirkov, Anelka, Drogba, Malouda. Subs: Turnbull, Bosingwa, Ferreira, Kalou, Sturridge, Kakuta, McEachran

Harry Redknapp insists Manchester United will push Chelsea all the way in the Barclays Premier League title race despite their recent travails. What do you all think?

Former England football captain and Blackburn Rovers legend Ronnie Clayton has died at the age of 76. His former club Blackburn, who he also captained, announced his death and are planning to pay their respects prior to today's match.

Chelsea defender Alex returns to the side for the trip to Ewood Park. Alex has not featured for the league leaders since scoring the second goal in their 2-0 victory over Arsenal on October 3 while Lampard is targeting a return against Liverpool a week on Sunday.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has warned his players that they will have to stop taking their foot off the accelerator during games if they are to retain their Barclays Premier League crown.