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Abramovich happy - Ancelotti

Ancelotti hails fit-again trio

Published: Tuesday, 1 December 2009, 11:14PM

Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti was pleased with the performance of his fringe stars as they reached the Carling Cup quarter-finals with an easy 4-0 win over Bolton.

The Blues have turned Stamford Bridge into a fortress with 13 goals rattled in during the last three games.

They have not conceded at home since the opening day of the season and goals from Salomon Kalou, Florent Malouda, Deco and Didier Drogba ended Bolton's interest in the competition.

But he knows it will be a different contest when the two sides meet again at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday.

"I think this is a very good moment for us," said Ancelotti. "Above all, because the players who returned after injury came back very well. Joe Cole came back in the last match and did very well.

"Alex and Paulo Ferreira did a very intelligent match tonight. It's a very good moment. We have to continue and maintain this atmosphere.

"The first thing is to play well and to win a game. It happens we've won with large results, but that's not so important. Rather, we want to win the games. We played the last three games very well, and Saturday can be another kind of match. We have to be ready to play a different match.

"The team are working very well. The defence has balance on the pitch during 90 minutes, maintaining good control defensively and offensively. This is the most important thing for the team, to have a balance."

Chelsea are awaiting a scan on goalkeeper Hilario's head after he was forced out of the action with concussion in the first half.

Ancelotti also voiced his support for striker Daniel Sturridge who squandered two gilt-edged chances to score on his full home debut.

"We are awaiting a scan on Hilario," said Ancelotti. "We're hoping he'll be better in the next few days.

"As for Sturridge, I'm disappointed for him. I think he played 60 minutes well for the team. I asked him to play for the team, not just to score. He did what I asked of him.

"For me, it's not important that he didn't score. The others - Malouda, Kalou - did. For him it would have been better to score, but I'm happy with his work out on the pitch."