A SECTION of Blackburn Rovers continued to pile the pressure on under fire boss Steve Kean this afternoon as their side slipped to a harsh 1-0 defeat to Chelsea.

Supporters paid for a plane displaying the banner “Steve Kean out” during the first half of today's visit of Chelsea, before some protested against him after the final whistle.

Frank Lampard's second half header was enough to keep Rovers in the Premier League relegation zone, although Steve Kean's men squandered numerous chances to get something from the game.

Rovers also suffered the blow of losing skipper Chris Samba before the break with a hamstring injury.

While it was Chelsea who started the game the brighter of the two sides, it was Rovers who should have been ahead on nine minutes from their first real attack of the game.

Junior Hoilett's through ball caught Chelsea's defence flat footed as Mauro Formica raced onto the ball down the left hand channel.

His intelligent squared pass across goal looked certain to be tapped home from the inrushing Yakubu but, just yards out, the striker somehow scuffed the ball wide.

Rovers were growing into the game although the Ewood faithful had to hold their breath on 20 minutes when Daniel Sturridge went down in the penalty area under Chris Samba's challenge.

Referee Mike Dean rightly waved play on with the Chelsea striker going down far too easily.

Once the plane started to fly over Ewood though, Rovers struggled to continue to take the game to their opponents as the half ended with little going on.

After the break Chelsea took the initiative on 51 minutes as, with their first attack of the half, went into the lead.

Branoslav Ivanovic was given too much space on the right and his cross was headed into the corner by the diving Frank Lampard.

Rovers should have been level six minutes later but, after Pedersen's free kick was fumbled by Cech, Grant Hanley could only hit the rebound straight at Cech on the floor.

The hosts continued to press and Yakubu almost levelled on 65 after jostling John Terry out of the way.

The former Everton man did well to latch on to a hopeful clearance but, after beating Terry and Alex, could only hit a tame shot at Cech.

Mauro Formica then saw a shot hacked away by Ramires before Givet headed Pedersen's corner against the bar from close range.