Yuri the one for Ancelotti as Zhirkov in Roy of Rovers form

CHELSEA boss Carlo Ancelotti insists Russian Yury Zhirkov will play a crucial part in his side’s title defence after his wonder show stole the points at Blackburn.

Zhirkov was recently warned by Russia coach Dick Advocaat he risked his international place without regular first-team football but the 27-year-old is finally beginning to make his mark at Stamford Bridge.

Ancelotti relished Zhirkov’s work to provide the cross from which Branislav Ivanovic could hardly miss, heading home in a match Ancelotti admitted his side were ‘lucky’ to win.