The last time Chelsea made changes to their team en masse, they travelled to struggling Watford and were beaten. Gianluca Vialli swore then that he had learnt a valuable lesson.

Against Huddersfield, Vialli left coach Ray Wilkins in charge. I wonder if Wilkins will have learnt the same lesson.

It needed a stunning goal to win it and veteran Kenny Irons, in his first season at the Yorkshire club, provided it with thirteen minutes to go. Picking the ball up inside his own half, he tore towards the Chelsea goal, just reaching the edge of the area before releasing a blistering shot past Italian debutant loanee goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini.

It had all looked so different early on as Chelsea started on the rampage. A one-two with Jody Morris gave Bernard Lambourde some space and his magnificent first time shot rebounded off the crossbar.

Finnish prodigy Mikael Forssell started in attack for the Blues and how he failed to find the net on two first-half occasions. He was too slow in shooting for the first attempt after Lambourde had sent him through, but went one better just after that, forcing Nico Vaesen into a fine save.

However, Huddersfield increased in confidence as the match wore on and were unlucky not to take the lead when Clyde Wijnhards effort was disallowed, as referee Rob Styles decided that the former Leeds front man had pushed Jes Hogh.

The Terriers continued pushing forward, with George Donis having a good game, as Chelsea tired, and were rewarded with Irons wonder-strike.