Chelsea start with victory
Chelsea have opened their Premier League season in style with a 4-0 victory over Portsmouth at Stamford Bridge.
First half goals by Joe Cole, Nicolas Anelka and a Frank Lampard penalty made for an easy half-time team-talk by new Blues coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Deco put the icing on the cake for last season's Barclays Premier League runners up by adding a fourth from long range just before the end.
Brazilian Scolari had promised a samba style to his time in west London, and he did not disappoint after being introduced to the crowd and giving them a thumbs-up.
Like his Brazil team that won the 2002 World Cup, he relied on his full-backs to create width - instead of Cafu and Roberto Carlos he has Jose Bosingwa and Ashley Cole marauding forward.
Chelsea's shape allowed Scolari's five-man midfield to dominate through the middle and cause havoc to Pompey.
Deco's goal was the pick - a powerful and swerving effort from 30 yards that Portsmouth 'keeper David James could only parry into the top corner in the 89th minute.
© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.
Post to Fark
Post to del.icio.us
Digg this story
Post to reddit
Post to Facebook
Post to StumbleUpon
Post to GNN
ITN Source