Wolves Wobbling : Wolverhampton W. 0 Chelsea 2

Didier Drogba's double enabled Chelsea to move four points clear of Manchester United at the top of the Premier League as they overcame Wolves at Molineux, reports sportal.co.nz.
Drogba ensured the Blues took advantage of United's 3-1 lunchtime reversal against Everton at Goodison Park with a goal in each half.
It took his tally for the campaign to 25 in all competitions and earned Carlo Ancelotti's side only its second away win in its last seven league games.
Chelsea barely moved out of second gear for long periods ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash with Inter Milan.
But the quality finishing of Drogba was the difference between the sides and means the Blues are now favourites to take the Premier League crown with only 11 games remaining.
Petr Cech was the busier of the two keepers and made two crucial saves early in the second half when Chelsea held only a single-goal advantage.
But Wolves' problem all season have been failure to take their chances, as demonstrated by their meagre goal tally of 21 - although Kevin Doyle again impressed as a lone striker.
Chelsea were quickly in the ascendancy and the first half-chance fell to Michael Ballack.
Yury Zhirkov sent over a threatening cross from the left flank and Ballack got up well in the danger area but directed his header wide.
Doyle produced the first save of the game out of Cech after 15 minutes.
The Republic of Ireland international made space for himself after a diagonal run and Cech had to go down to his right to save his 20-yard drive.
Doyle then flicked the ball into the path of the overlapping Kevin Foley but his shot from a narrow angle flew into the side netting.
Doyle was causing problems for Chelsea and he was alert to a quick throw from Foley and forced Cech to parry his shot around the post.
Ballack was only just too high with a rasping volley after a corner from Florent Malouda was only half-cleared.
Jones, who had scored the winner against Tottenham 10 days ago, curled a free-kick just wide as Wolves started to grow in confidence.
But five minutes before the interval, Chelsea took the lead through Drogba.
Zhirkov played a one-two with Ballack before squaring a low ball across the six-yard box and Drogba had the easiest of tap-ins.
Cech produced a superb reflex save to protect Chelsea's lead after 55 minutes.
Adlene Guedioura timed his run perfectly to connect with a far-post cross from Jarvis but his fierce volley was somehow kept out by the Chelsea keeper.
Ancelotti made his first change a minute later with Zhirkov replaced by Jeffrey Bruma.
The home side tried to get a foothold in the game and Cech produced another splendid stop to deny Foley an equaliser.
Terry miskicked when attempting to clear and Foley found himself with only Cech to beat but he managed to block his fierce shot.
Ballack became the first player to be yellow-carded for dissent as the Blues looked rattled.
But then Drogba doubled Chelsea's lead as Wolves were caught napping by a long clearance from Cech.
Drogba was the first to react and took the ball away from Christophe Berra before clipping the ball wide of Marcus Hahnemann.
McCarthy made a triple substitution with Jarvis, Foley and Jones making way for Geoffrey Mujangi Bia, Greg Halford and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.
Doyle was only just off target for Wolves with a shot on the turn after some typical aggression.
But it needed a good tackle from Ronald Zubar to deny Anelka a third goal as he bore down on the Wolves goal.
Terry cleared the ball off the line in a late Wolves rally after Cech had failed to gather a long throw from Halford.

Bluebirds Breached : Chelsea 4 Cardiff City 1

Holders Chelsea reached the FA Cup quarter-finals after Cardiff had briefly threatened to cause a massive shock.

Didier Drogba put Chelsea in front in the second minute but Michael Chopra stunned the home side with an equaliser before half-time.

But second-half goals from Michael Ballack, Daniel Sturridge and substitute Salomon Kalou put Carlo Ancelotti’s side into the last eight.

Chelsea got off to a great start when John Obi Mikel’s long ball put Drogba in the clear and the Ivory Coast striker ran on to fire past the static David Marshall.

It was Drogba’s fourth goal in three games since his return from the African Nations Cup and his 23rd of the season.

Cardiff almost equalised when Peter Whittingham’s free-kick was sent towards the top corner by Anthony Gerrard.

But with City ready to celebrate an equaliser, Hilario somehow managed to get across and tip the ball over the bar.

In the 25th minute, Drogba was unlucky with an overhead kick from six yards when a cross from Michael Ballack had found him ahead of his marker.

Fortunately for Marshall in the City goal, Drogba’s effort went straight to him.

Chelsea remained in control of the game with Cardiff restricted to rare counter-attacks.

But one of them paid off in stunning fashion in the 34th minute when they equalised through Chopra.

The Cardiff striker shocked the home side with his 17th goal of the season.

Chopra got clear of Alex to head Chris Burke’s cross into the net beyond the helpless Hilario, to the delight of the 6,000 travelling City fans.

The Cardiff equaliser had certainly livened the game up but Chelsea gradually managed to get on top once more.

Chelsea’s passing began to go astray as the half wore on and Cardiff were able to end the first half on level terms.

Chelsea replaced the ineffective Joe Cole with Kalou at half-time.

Drogba, the only Chelsea player really on his game, found Marshall alert when he tried to send a 25-yard free-kick inside the near post just seconds after the restart.

But Chelsea were back in front in the 51st minute when Drogba’s pass evaded Mark Kennedy to put Michael Ballack through on goal. The Germany captain kept his cool to volley the ball over Marshall and make it 2-1.

Chelsea defender Alex was unlucky to see a header cleared by the Cardiff rearguard on the hour as the home side pressed for a third goal.

The home side were again in control with Drogba at the heart of all their best moves.

The Ivory Coast striker was unlucky not to get on the end of a through-ball from Paulo Ferreira while Sturridge shot well wide from 20 yards in the 67th minute.

Chelsea finally got a third in the 69th minute when a scrappy build-up allowed the ball to run loose to Sturridge, who slipped it beyond Marshall.

It was his fourth goal in the competition – and his last contribution before being replaced by Florent Malouda.

Cardiff continued to make sporadic forays into the Chelsea half and on one such attack, Kevin McNaughton was a yard wide with a 20-yard angled drive.

Whittingham then brought a fine save out of Hilario with a low drive from 25 yards as Chelsea rested on their two-goal lead.

However, Kalou made it 4-1 in the 86th minute when he superbly headed home a cross from Ferreira.

The Ivory Coast striker twisted his body in mid-air to send the header over Marshall’s reach and into the top corner of the net.

Malouda was way off target in the 90th minute when he tried his luck from the edge of the penalty area – but Chelsea had done enough to go through to the last eight.

Ashley Ankle Blow

Ashley Cole faces a fight to be fit in time for the World Cup finals in South Africa after fracturing his ankle in Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat at Goodison on Wednesday night, reports gazettelive.co.uk.
The England left-back is almost certainly out for the remainder of the domestic season and his place in Fabio Capello’s squad for the finals in South Africa will depend on his rehabilitation programme.
England open their campaign in South Africa on June 12 with a match against the United States, but Cole will have to convince Capello he is back to full fitness before the Italian names his 23-man squad.
Ironically, Cole’s injury will provide former Chelsea team-mate Wayne Bridge with the chance to become Capello’s first-choice left-back. Chelsea are fortunate they have enough cover to cope with Cole’s absence.
Russia international Yury Zhirkov is comfortable at left-back and Portugal international Paulo Ferreira can also play in the same position despite being signed by former boss Jose Mourinho as a right-back.
Speaking about Cole, Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti said: “We are very disappointed because he’s a very important player for us.
“Now we have to do our best to get him recovered quickly, although we have Yury, who is a fantastic full-back, so we can use him.”
Asked about Cole’s prospects of playing in the World Cup, the Italian added: “I don’t know - I hope so for him and for the England team.”

Toffees Triumphant : Everton 2 Chelsea 1

Louis Saha celebrated his new contract with Everton with a stunning double to sink Premier League leaders Chelsea 2-1,reports sportal.co.nz.
The Frenchman, who signed a two-year deal last week, first exposed Chelsea's weakness at set-pieces with a headed equaliser and then fired a brilliant 75th-minute winner at Goodison Park.
Chelsea had shaded the early stages and taken the lead through Florent Malouda but Saha, who also missed a penalty, secured Everton's first victory over the Londoners since 2000.
With Manchester United held by Aston Villa, victory could have taken Chelsea four points clear at the top but Everton's greater industry merited victory.
Sacked England captain John Terry escaped lightly in terms of crowd abuse following recent media revelations but the Chelsea stalwart was caught out for Saha's winner.
And of further concern for manager Carlo Ancelotti was the nature of the equaliser - the 16th of 22 goals this season Chelsea have conceded from set-pieces.
Everton scored all its goals from similar situations when the sides played out an entertaining 3-3 draw at Stamford Bridge two months ago.
This time the Toffees were without key midfielders Marouane Fellaini and Steven Pienaar through injury and suspension respectively.
Mikel Arteta, having recovered from a knee injury, made his first start in almost a year while Chelsea replaced Michael Ballack with Yury Zhirkov.
Everton stretched Chelsea within the opening minutes as Landon Donovan broke clear but the American overhit his cross for Saha.
After that Chelsea began to take control with Frank Lampard shooting wide after a Nicolas Anelka dummy and Didier Drogba heading over from a Malouda cross.
Branislav Ivanovic then volleyed wide but Chelsea broke through after 17 minutes from a route-one ball.
Peter Cech's long clearance was headed on by Drogba and Malouda brushed off the challenge of Phil Neville to drill a left-footed shot low past Tim Howard.
Chelsea threatened again when Richardo Carvalho leapt above Terry to meet a Lampard corner but Howard saved comfortably.
Everton then launched a counter-attack with Diniyar Bilyaletdinov breaking down the left to cross for Leighton Baines but the left-back caught his volley awkwardly and Cech saved.
But the Toffees grew in confidence and pulled level after winning a corner in the 33rd minute.
Donovan's cross dropped over Lampard and Saha rushed in to power a header past Cech for his 12th goal of the season and his first in five games.
Everton almost added an immediate second as Tim Cahill set up Leon Osman on the edge of the area but his shot flew wide.
Drogba pulled the ball back from the byline as Chelsea responded but Anelka stabbed wide from six yards.
Lampard tried his luck from a 30-yard free-kick but shot over and Drogba then curled one wide.
But Everton finished the half with a flourish and Saha should twice have given the hosts the lead.
First he was picked out in front of goal by Donovan but his first touch bought Cech time and the keeper rushed forward to save from point-blank range.
The former Manchester United forward had an immediate chance to make amends after Donovan was felled in the area by Carvalho but Cech guessed right and saved the resulting spot-kick to his left.
Everton did not let the miss affect them and started the second half well with a dangerous Bilyaletdinov cross palmed over the bar by Cech.
Saha then showed brilliant control to turn and create another shooting opportunity in the box but Carvalho just did enough to force him to fire wide.
Everton also started winning the 50-50 balls and Drogba showed a growing Chelsea frustration when he fired wildly at goal from more than 40 yards.
Bilyaletdinov showed good control in the area but his shot was blocked and a Donovan cross was just too high for Cahill.
Everton appealed for handball against Terry on the edge of the area but referee Alan Wiley's decision to play on was vindicated as replays showed the ball catching the face.
Pressure finally paid off as Everton deservedly went ahead through Saha after 75 minutes.
Terry missed the chance to cut out a long ball from Sylvain Distin and Saha brilliantly chested the ball down before turning and firing home powerfully with his left foot.
Chelsea, having been subdued for most of the second half, finally sparked into life but the crossbar came to Everton's rescue as Drogba met a Lampard corner with a good header.
Lampard then got in a shot at the end of a flowing move but Howard saved to his right.

Gunners Grounded : Chelsea 2 Arsenal 0

John Terry's life may be in turmoil off the pitch but the former England captain remains as inspirational as ever in a Chelsea shirt as his side put an end to Arsenal's remaining title dreams at Stamford Bridge, reports sport.scotsman.com.
Stripped of the England captaincy by Fabio Capello 48 hours earlier and the subject of more lurid headlines about his private life, Terry responded in a typically defiant manner as two first-half goals from Didier Drogba put Chelsea back on top of the Barclays Premier League – Drogba's first goal in the eighth minute arrived courtesy of a glancing header from Terry.

Taunted by Arsenal fans throughout for his alleged affair with French lingerie model Vanessa Perroncel, the former girlfriend of Terry's one-time team-mate Wayne Bridge, the Chelsea captain produced a commanding performance at the heart of the defence and, in coach Carlo Ancelotti's eyes, vindicated his decision not to switch skippers.

"John is the perfect captain for Chelsea," said Ancelotti. "My captain has a fantastic attitude. He is doing very well in every game."It is very important for the team to have this leadership. He was always in control of the game. He has a strong mentality."He is working for his club and we are happy to have this performance from him in this moment."

The victory restored Chelsea's two-point lead over Manchester United at the top of the table and, more significantly, increased the gap over third-placed Arsenal to nine. Despite the imposing gap, Ancelotti was not willing to rule his London rivals out of the title race just yet.

"Arsenal still have a possibility because they are a good team," added the Italian."It depends on the performances of Manchester United and Chelsea. I am not sure it will be a race with two horses."

The outcome was never in doubt once Chelsea's other talismanic figure had put them in front with a simple volley at the far post. Drogba's 21st goal of the season was the perfect start for Carlo Ancelotti's side and with their confidence sufficiently rocked, Arsenal failed to respond before the Ivory Coast striker added his second.

When Arsenal did manage to get past the imposing Terry, they were woefully wasteful with Andrey Arshavin the main culprit.

In the 20th minute, a delightful chip from Cesc Fabregas found the Russian unmarked inside the penalty area but he volleyed straight at Petr Cech.

Two minutes later Arsenal were handed a lesson in textbook finishing which was to ultimately leave their title dreams in tatters as Drogba notched his 22nd goal of the season.

Frank Lampard was given the freedom of Stamford Bridge to run 30 yards before supplying the Ivory Coast striker with a simple pass. The Arsenal defence continued to back-pedal and that was the invitation Drogba required to cut inside from the right and fire a left-foot volley beyond Manuel Almunia.

Chelsea could have increased their advantage shortly afterwards but Ashley Cole was denied by Almunia after Lampard's incisive pass had put him clear.

Arsenal were a different side in the second-half but the task was just too much for them.

Terry was forced to play much of the second period with his thigh heavily strapped after a muscle injury but there was little chance he would desert his post with all eyes upon him.

Theo Walcott should have done better when clean through but got caught in two minds and Chelsea's defence cleared.

Cech, who had preserved Chelsea's lead in the first half, was in outstanding form and pulled off another great save to keep out a goal-bound Fabregas free-kick.

But as Arsenal overstretched themselves, Chelsea looked for a third.Michael Ballack went close with an angled drive which flashed beyond the far post on the hour but Cech rescued Chelsea again 11 minutes from time by whipping the ball off the toes of Arsenal substitute Nicklas Bendtner – on for Walcott.

Drogba came close to completing a fine hat-trick but his 83rd minute free-kick from 20 yards cannoned back off the crossbar.

In the end, it was of little consequence, leaving Terry to enjoy a welcome moment of elation in front of his adoring fans as Chelsea climbed back to the Premier League summit.

Afterwards, Drogba confirmed the Chelsea squad were united behind Terry.

The Ivorian admitted it had been a tough week for the club but he stressed Terry had the players' full support.

"It has been a difficult week for us, for Chelsea, for all the club," Drogba said. "We tried to stay together and focus on the game. It is a matter of time but we will stick together and keep looking forward. We have offered him as much support as we can. The best thing for him is to play. All his team-mates have to do everything for him."Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted his side are now outsiders for the title."It is difficult to swallow a defeat like that when we felt we were the better team," said Wenger. "Chelsea defended well until the last minute so you have got to give them credit. We are outsiders but we will fight until the last day of the season. I believe everyone can drop points. Let's come back to win our next game first and then see where we stand."

Tigers Untamed : Hull City 1 Chelsea 1

Didier Drogba celebrated his return from African Nations Cup duty by notching his 20th goal of the season to spare Chelsea's blushes against lowly Hull to draw 1-1, reports sportal.co.nz.
All eyes were, inevitably, on John Terry in his second match since allegations over his private life were made public but it was Hull centre-back Steven Mouyokolo who grabbed the limelight by heading the Premier League strugglers in front.
Drogba, in his first Blues match for a month, snared a point for the table-toppers when he drilled home a contested free-kick just before the interval.
Hull started confidently, winning corners on the left and right inside two minutes.
Chelsea repelled them safely but Stephen Hunt's delivery looked dangerous and the home side was assured in the opening minutes.
Terry started solidly and did not appear outwardly affected by the expected round of boos and chants.
In the ninth minute Frank Lampard had the first chance of the match, capping a nice passing move with a swerving shot at goal. Boaz Myhill could only parry it to Nicolas Anelka 10 yards out but the Frenchman fluffed his finish.
Drogba was also off-target as he blazed wide soon after.
Hunt was looking dangerous down the left for Hull and Branislav Ivanovic appeared unsettled by the bustling Irishman.
Chelsea should have taken the lead 25 minutes in when Deco's crossfield ball set Ivanovic free on the right and he arrowed a cross into the Hull area. Michael Ballack timed his run perfectly but headed tamely and straight at Myhill from close range.
Hull continued to give as good as they got, though, with crosses from Hunt and George Boateng both causing problems.
It was, then, no great surprise when Mouyokolo outjumped a number of Chelsea defenders, Terry included, to head home Hunt's 29th-minute corner.
Anelka and Deco failed to beat Myhill with low drives as Chelsea fought back and Anthony Gardner made good ground to dispossess Drogba as he shaped to shoot.
With three minutes to go before the break the Ivorian striker lashed home the equaliser with a disputed free-kick from just outside the penalty area.
Gardner missed a glorious chance to restore the lead before the break when he headed Tom Cairney's flighted free-kick over from just a couple of yards.
Terry was booked a minute after the restart for an ungainly leap with Jozy Altidore and it was almost a costly foul.
Hunt again sent in the cross and Altidore was left free in the box six yards out. He stooped to head goalwards but it looped up softly off the back of his head.
Ivanovic forced another parried save from Myhill in the 50th minute but when the loose ball was cut back across goal Lampard skied his shot.
Hull was furious when Mark Clattenburg deemed Ricardo Carvalho's risky challenge on Altidore legal, but there was more to worry about at the other end as the hour-mark approached. First Drogba and then Terry drew Myhill into action with strong headed efforts as the hosts failed to clear a corner.
Five minutes later Amr Zaki came off the bench for his second Tigers appearance and immediately had some joy as he got the better of Yury Zhirkov to reach the byline.
Ancelotti introduced a fresh playmaker of his own with 19 minutes to play, Joe Cole replacing the off-colour Ballack.
Chelsea's defending at set-pieces continued to falter as Hunt and Mouyokolo combined again with a near-post corner, though this time the defender headed wide.
Drogba was also off-target in the 77th minute, heading over Ivanovic's curling delivery as last man Myhill charged off his line.
Drogba was booked late on for a frustrated flick at Paul McShane and Myhill ensured the Tigers held on to a valuable point as he stretched to save Daniel Sturridge's late strike.

Clarets Conquered : Burnley 1 Chelsea 2

John Terry grabbed a late winner for Chelsea to cement their place at the top of the Premier League after deciding to play on despite allegations about his private life, reports sportal.co.nz.
The club captain headed home a corner from Florent Malouda in the 83rd minute but his celebration was muted.
It was a cruel blow for Burnley, who had drawn level through Steven Fletcher after Nicolas Anelka had opened the scoring.
Chelsea were looking to kick on after the victory over Birmingham and coach Carlo Ancelotti made two changes.
Alex and Yury Zhirkov were back in the side with Deco and Ricardo Carvalho stepping down.
Burnley manager Brian Laws gave a debut to Leon Cort after his 1.5million pound arrival from Stoke in midweek.
It was Laws' first home game in charge and a daunting one at that, especially after three straight defeats under his stewardship.
Terry was under the spotlight and his first touch saw him head the ball out of play.

Cort had to be on his toes in the seventh minute following a swift counter-attack by Chelsea. Joe Cole picked out Nicolas Anelka and his cross was turned away by the new signing from Stoke.
Chelsea maintained the momentum and Anelka played the ball back to Frank Lampard a minute later but he skied his shot over the crossbar.
Then Anelka fluffed his effort inside the area to the amusement of the Burnley fans, after good work by Joe Cole.
The home team responded and Robbie Blake thumped a free-kick into the wall in the 17th minute after Michael Ballack had been penalised for a challenge on Chris Eagles.
Back came Chelsea and Florent Malouda delivered the ball into the area only for goalkeeper Brian Jensen to make a comfortable save.
While the visitors were knocking the ball about well, Burnley were holding their own at this stage of the game.
Chelsea made the breakthrough in the 27th minute through Anelka's 12th goal of the season.
It was a sweeping move that caught Burnley flat-footed. Joe Cole delivered a cross to the back post and Malouda chased what looked like a lost cause.
He managed to steer the ball back into the area from the left, and Anelka lost two defenders to coolly finish things off.
It was just the boost Ancelotti was looking for on a ground where Manchester United lost earlier in the season.
It was proving a difficult spell for Burnley but Andre Bikey then rattled a shot over the bar as Terry tried to close him down.
Terry was then booked in the 35th minute for barging over Blake as he tried to burst forward.
The crowd was incensed with the Chelsea defender's challenge and let him know.
Chelsea, though, were playing with confidence and Jensen did well to head clear as Anelka tried to get on the end of a good ball from Branislav Ivanovic.
Blake then sent a free-kick into the Chelsea area after 43 minutes but Anelka showed his defensive qualities by heading clear.
Chelsea started the second half brightly with Malouda advancing and smacking a shot wide of the post in the 47th minute.
However they were stunned three minutes later when Burnley equalised after clever work by Blake.
He put Alex under pressure with a ball into the area and Fletcher got the better of the defender to score his 10th goal of the season with a deft finish.
Chelsea hit back and Joe Cole found the net in the 56th minute but his effort was ruled offside shortly after a shot from Lampard was blocked.
Laws decided to boost his attacking options three minutes later when Martin Paterson replaced Kevin McDonald.
It was bold move against the league leaders by the former Sheffield Wednesday manager.
Chelsea almost regained their lead in the 64th minute but Jensen got down quickly to parry Lampard's driven free-kick from 25 yards.
The visitors kept up the pressure and the goalkeeper then made a comfortable save from Alex after Malouda and Anelka had linked up.
The crowd was willing their team on though, and could sense another surprise result.
Chelsea boss Ancelotti decided to switch things around in the 73rd minute and brought on Daniel Sturridge for Joe Cole.
Sturridge then saw a header parried by Jensen before Terry silenced the home crowd in the 83rd minute.
Terry peeled away from his marker and got on the end of a corner from Malouda to head home.
However it proved to be Chelsea's winner and takes them four points clear of Manchester United.

Brummies Battered : Chelsea 3 Birmingham City 0

Chelsea returned to the top of the Premier League with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Birmingham City at Stamford Bridge, reports sportal.co.nz.
Carlo Ancelotti's side brought an end to Birmingham's 15-game unbeaten run thanks to an opening goal by Florent Malouda and a brace from Frank Lampard.
The win put Chelsea one point clear of Manchester United at the top of the table with a game in hand on their rivals.
The home side went ahead in the fifth minute when they opened their account through Malouda. The goal was engineered by England midfielder Joe Cole, who burst into the City penalty area from the right flank before crossing for the unmarked Malouda to head past Joe Hart from six yards.
City had been the only team in the league to prevent Chelsea from scoring when the two teams met at St. Andrews on Boxing Day but Ancelotti's side is a different animal at home.
But City managed to stave off the expected Chelsea onslaught by stifling the midfield.
The home side had to wait until the 20th minute for another meaningful attack.
Again Cole sent the ball into the penalty area but it was deflected for a corner.
However, only the width of the upright prevented the home side from increasing their lead seconds later.
Malouda's corner was met by the head of Ricardo Carvalho but the Portugese defender saw the ball cannon back off the post.
Chelsea continued to press and Lampard sent an angled drive into the arms of Hart in the 21st minute, while Cole was inches wide with a 20-yard shot moments later.
Cole was having a fine game for the home side and another 18-yard effort was well held by the diving Hart in the 26th minute.
But Chelsea did make it 2-0 in the 31st minute when Lampard collected a pass from Michael Ballack and sent a low angled drive beyond Hart and into the bottom corner from 20 yards.
Chelsea had now moved up a gear and were in their familiar smooth groove.
In the 34th minute, Nicolas Anelka had a shot deflected for a corner as the home side looked for a third.
Chelsea's passing was fluent and inventive and Birmingham had no answer.
They possessed little attacking threat, with Chelsea captain John Terry proving to be an imposing figure in his 300th career league game.
City had not tested Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech and lacked the quality and guile to trouble the home defence.
There was also a distinct lack of ambition in City's play, which was surprising given their 15-game unbeaten run.
Chelsea began the second half with the same attacking desire and a 25-yard drive from Anelka ruffled the side-netting with Hart scrambling to protect his near post.
In the 53rd minute, Hart rescued Birmingham when a cross from Ashley Cole found the unmarked Ballack at the far post.
The German captain sent his downward header towards the corner of the net but Hart somehow managed to grab the ball in time.
City replaced Cameron Jerome with Keith Fahey in the 56th minute as the visitors looked to add more impetus to their attack.
Chelsea were inches away from a third in the 59th minute when a corner by Malouda was directed just over the crossbar by Ballack.
Joe Cole deserved a goal as a reward for his performance but he squandered a real chance in the 64th minute when Lampard found him with a fine cross-field pass.
The midfielder, hoping to play his way into England's squad for the World Cup finals this summer, hit a weak shot straight at Hart from eight yards.
Hart was busy again two minutes later when he held a long-range drive from Malouda.
Birmingham's James McFadden broke clear of the Chelsea defence in the 72nd minute but his angled shot flashed the wrong side of the far post.
Moments later substitute Fahey brought a fine save from Petr Cech as City finally put some pressure on the home defence.
But Chelsea made it 3-0 in the 90th minute when Lampard collected a pass from Malouda and fired past the advancing Hart.