THE key moments from Rovers' defeat against Chelsea.

FRIEDEL: Not quite the usual authorative figure we've come to know and expect over the last two years...6

NEILL: Looked a little shaky defensively at times but tried to get forward whenever possible and that drive won him the penalty...6

JOHANSSON: Given a torrid time by Jesper Gronkjaer on the left before Souness took action and switched him to the centre...5

SHORT: Not the commanding figure we know he can be at the heart of Rovers' defence as Zola caused problems in the hole...6

TAYLOR: Didn't look as comfortable at full-back as he did in the centre after swapping positions as part of a tactical reshuffle...6

FLITCROFT: Plenty of effort and endeavour as always but it was Chelsea who increasingly called the shots in midfield...6

DUNN: Scored with customary aplomb from the penalty spot and had more influence on the game once he was switched to the centre...7

TUGAY: Looked slightly livelier than he has done for a while without ever bossing proceedings as we know he can...6

COLE: Needs a goal to get his season up and running but showed great awareness for Thompson's strike...6

YORKE: Showed some decent touches with his back to goal but should have done better with a great chance in the first half...6

* THOMPSON: Made a big impression on his home debut, grabbing a goal to cap an industrious performance...7

SUBS:

GILLESPIE (for Tugay, 64) 6

GRABBI (for Johansson, 82)

NOT USED: HIGNETT, BERG, KELLY

OPPOSITE CAMP:

CUDICINI...Wrong-footed by Thompson 6

BABAYARO...Conceded the penalty 6

DESAILLY...Got away with a clear handball 6

GALLAS...Doesn't get credit he deserves 6

MELCHIOT...Solid defensively 6

LAMPARD...Efficient performance 7

MORRIS...Industrious in midfield 7

STANIC...Irritating customer 6

HASSELBAINK...Got stronger during game 7

ZOLA...Masterclass in finishing 8

GRONKJAER...A handful all night 8

SUBS:

ZENDEN (for Stanic, 72) 6

GUDJOHNSEN (for Gronkjaer, 77)

HUTH (for Morris, 87) Not used

NOT USED: DE LUCAS, DE GOEY

STATS:

Goal attempts: Rovers 13 Chelsea 11

Shots on target: Rovers 6 Chelsea 7

Woodwork: Rovers 0 Chelsea 0

Offsides: Rovers 6 Chelsea 1

Corners: Rovers 7 Chelsea 4

Free kicks: Rovers 12 Chelsea 14

REFEREE...Mike Riley (Leeds) 6

Bookings:

YELLOW CARDS - Rovers: Johansson, Thompson Chelsea: Babayaro, Stanic, Morris

RED CARDS - None

TIME FOR ACTION:

05 David Thompson underlines his intentions with a rasping low drive which Cudicini pushes aside

11 Jimmy Hasselbaink connects with a Gronkjaer cross but his header sails over

14 Referee Mike Riley waves away Rovers' penalty appeals then Andy Cole fires over from the resulting melee

18 It's 1-0 as Celestine Babayaro sends Lucas Neill sprawling which allows David Dunn to score from the penalty spot

31 Thompson serves up a great chance for Dwight Yorke but Cudicini somehow claws away his point-blank effort

38 Chelsea are back on level terms as Hasselbaink cuts the ball back for Gronkjaer to slam home the equaliser

45 Rovers are back in front again as Thompson opens his Ewood goal account with a sweet low strike

52 It's 2-2 as Mario Stanic crosses for Gianfranco Zola to head home Chelsea's second equaliser of the night

80 Zola grabs his second of the night with a stunning 20 yarder

85 Cudicini denies Gillespie a late equaliser with a near post save