TWO strikes from Nicolas Anelka consigned Blackburn Rovers to a home defeat against Chelsea this afternoon.

Chelsea, who returned to the top of the Premier League with the three points, were dominant for most of the game with Anelka a constant threat.

Jose Bosingwa's 35-yard effort deflected off Anelka and trickled over the line in the 39th minute in awful first-half conditions.

Anelka then added a second in the 68th minute when Frank Lampard surged through the defence and teed up the Frenchman, who dinked the ball over Paul Robinson.

Jason Roberts had had a chance to level the match after half time but saw his shot saved by Petr Cech.

Lampard then had a long-range free kick tipped on to the bar by Robinson, while the Rovers goalkeeper also denied Anelka as he went in search of a hat-trick.

Carlos Villanueva's curling effort was kept out by Cech in the first half, while the injured Vince Grella was replaced by Aaron Mokoena just before the interval.

Rovers: Paul Robinson, Danny Simpson, Zurab Khizanishvili, Ryan Nelsen, Martin Olsson, Vince Grella (Aaron Mokoena 45), Stephen Warnock, Carlos Villanueva, Keith Andrews (Matt Derbyshire 46), Morten Gamst Pedersen, Jason Roberts (Robbie Fowler 77). Subs not used: Jason Brown, Chris Samba, Tugay, Keith Treacy.

Chelsea: Petr Cech, Jose Bosingwa, Alex, John Terry, Wayne Bridge, Frank Lampard, John Obi Mikel, Deco (Paulo Ferreira 90), Salomon Kalou (Juliano Belletti 62), Nicolas Anelka, Florent Malouda.

Subs not used: Carlo Cudicini, Branislav Ivanovic, Franco di Santo, Scott Sinclair, Mineiro.