Cole scores his first

Carlton Cole gave a stunning reminder to Sven-Goran Eriksson of England's depth in teenage talent with a superb demonstration of striking skills at Stamford Bridge.

Cole scored two goals, one with his feet and the other with his head, to make a formality of this Worthington Cup third-round tie which the Premiership side dominated.

His performance was all the more remarkable as it was his first match since August when he suffered a hairline crack to a leg in training.

But if 19-year-old Cole was the goal star then a man old enough to be his dad, 36-year-old Gianfranco Zola, also proved that age barely matters when it comes to footballing style, the little Italian giving another masterclass.

Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri made just four changes from the team which drew 0-0 with Tottenham on Sunday. Frenchman Marcel Desailly was among those rested along with Mario Melchiot.

The first goal came in the 20th minute after a bout of sparring in which Gillingham had given as good as they got. And it was central defender William Gallas who proved the architect, conjuring a wonderful through ball which glided into the path of Cole.

With acres of space in front of him took the ball in his stride, waited for Gillingham goalkeeper Jason Brown to commit himself, and then coolly slid the ball into the empty net.

For while Gillingham battled and harried they never possessed the penetration to seriously trouble a Chelsea defence expertly marshalled by Gallas and John Terry.

It took just seven minutes of the second half for Cole to prove that he is just as good in the air as he is on the floor.

Jody Morris broke free down the right and sent over a pinpoint chip which Cole met at the far post. and dispatched it with power and accuracy into the far corner of the net and Chelsea were cruising.

Two minutes later Ranieri substituted Cole, and brought on Jesper Gronkjaer. Winston Bogarde was also thrown into the action for the first time since Boxing Day 2000, coming on to replace Quique De Lucas.

Gillingham took heart from the changes with Mamady Sidibe heading over from close range when it seemed much easier to score and substitute Marlon King poaching the last-second consolation  when the Chelsea defence went to sleep for the first time all night.

Chelsea: Cudicini, Ferrer, Gallas, Terry, Babayaro, Morris, Lampard, De Lucas (Bogarde 69), Le Saux (Oliveira 62), Zola, Cole (Gronkjaer 64).
Subs Not Used: Pidgeley, Petit.

Gillingham: Brown, Nosworthy, Ashby, Hope, Perpetuini, Hessenthaler (Spiller 84), Smith, Saunders, Shaw, Sidibe (Tommy Johnson 55), Ipoua (King 45).
Subs Not Used: Bartram, James.
Booked: Saunders.

Att: 28,033
Ref: A D'Urso (Essex).