Chelsea back to winning ways

Brondby 0 Chelsea 2

Chelsea returned to winning pre-season ways with a 2-0 victory over Brondby, but captain John Terry was once again absent with his toe injury.

Terry was almost certainly being held back for Sunday’s FA Community Shield clash with Manchester United and Chelsea were also hit with an injury to midfielder Mikel John Obi.

The midfielder was forced in the first half of a game that Chelsea eventually won thanks to a brace from Ivory coast hitman Didier Drogba.

Several of coach Jose Mourinho’s key men got another 90 minutes under their belt, with the likes of Frank Lampard and Claudio Pizarro impressing, not to mention two-goal Drogba, who took his pre-season tally to three.

Chelsea started tentatively and allowed Brondby to enjoy the first effort on goal after six minutes, with Martin Ericsson picking up a rebound and volleying wide.

But Chelsea’s first chance arrived mid way through the first half when Shaun Wright-Phillips linked-up with Frank Lampard before hitting a low cross shot.

It flashed across goal towards Drogba, but his outstretched leg couldn’t quite connect, and the ball ran to safety.

But after half an hour Mikel was forced to retire with a leg injury, and he was replaced by Pizarro, who slotted in alongside Drogba up front, changing the formation to a 4-4-2 system.

After a goalless first half, Mourinho opted to make two changes, with goalkeeper Petr Cech replacing Carlo Cudicini in goal, and Joe Cole coming on for Florent Malouda.

But Chelsea took the lead just over the hour mark when Drogba added his second of pre-season campaign.

Pizarro won the ball before laying it off to Wright-Phillips, who waited patiently before supplying the overlapping Johnson.

Johnson’s cross was met by Drogba who jumped with the goalkeeper and watched his headed effort dribble across the line.

Chelsea wrapped the game up with six minutes remaining after Drogba played a smart one-two with Pizarro before lashing a thunderous half volley into the net.