Chelsea put an end to Charlton's perfect start to the season, and ensured their own continued with a 2-0 win at The Valley.

Chelsea were made to fight for their win, but their quality shone through and, after hitting the woodwork twice, goals from Hernan Crespo and Arjen Robben ensured that Jose Mourinho's 100 per cent record remained intact.

The first half had been a mixed bag of half chances and missed opportunities - with Chelsea starting strongly but forced to compete by their plucky hosts.

Michael Essien had chipped an early effort over when well placed, but it was Frank Lampard's slightly deflected volley soon after that had Stephan Andersen scrambling to ensure the ball was outside his right-hand post.

Lampard, celebrating his 100th consecutive start, whipped in a ball that evaded everyone, and Robben stung Anderson's palms with a drive, whilst at the other end Jerome Thomas snatched at Charlton's first chance, dragging his shot wide.

Crespo could, and should, have opened the scoring when the lively Essien dispossessed a plodding Radostin Kishishev and put the Argentine through.

However, Crespo clipped the ball past Andersen and off of the face of the post and the best chance of the opening half went begging.

Essien had a shot well blocked and a backwards header drop wide, whilst Dennis Rommedahl was disappointed when a powerful drive just missed the target.

The second half saw Chelsea strike the woodwork for the second time, a Lampard free-kick dropped perfectly for Frenchman William Gallas at the far post, but he reacted slowly and could only shin the ball against the post.

Andersen continued his impressive performance when he reacted well to a deflected Lampard free-kick to gather, and it was Chelsea in the ascendancy.

A goal seemed inevitable, and so it proved - Essien dispossessed Kishishev for the third time in the match and picked out a fine cross that Crespo nodded past Andersen superbly.

Darren Bent twice found himself offside, the second time drawing a fine save from Petr Cech before noticing the flag, but in the flash of an eye it was 2-0.

Robben was the scorer, skipping into the space afforded at the edge of the box by Damien Duff's run and curling brilliantly home with his left foot.

The goal ripped the guts out of Charlton's game plan, and the heart out of the contest, with Chelsea happy to wait for the chances and Charlton unable to bully their way back into the match.

Lampard had a shot wide and Essien should have done better with an unhurried cut-back, but otherwise it was merely the triumphant posturings of a Chelsea side that know that they are good enough to beat anybody.

 

Charlton Athletic	Team Name	Chelsea
0	Goals	2
0	Shots on target ( Inc Goals )	7
8	Shots off Target (inc woodwork)	5
3	Blocked Shots	4
2	Corners Won	7
12	Total Fouls Conceded	11
2	Offsides	2
0	Yellow Cards	2
0	Red Cards	0
42%	Possession	58%