An under-strength Chelsea side eased past already-relegated Blackburn with a dominant display at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues rested most of their star names ahead of next Saturday's Champions League final but were too strong for their outclassed opposition.

John Terry's towering header from a teasing Romelu Lukaku cross and a toe-poked Raul Meireles effort made it 2-0.

Chelsea missed a host of chances but held on despite Yakubu's second-half header during a rare Rovers attack.

The scoreline did not reflect the home side's supremacy in an entertaining end-of-season dead rubber.

For Chelsea, an unsatisfactory sixth place - their worst in ten years - was guaranteed, while Championship-bound Blackburn could only finish second bottom after a season of turmoil on and off the pitch.

The home side's failure to secure Champions League qualification through their Premier League finish and Blackburn's inability to take their relegation scrap down to the final game meant the Blues could fully justify their weakened team selection with no fear of reprisals.

The small matter of the Champions League final against Bayern Munich meant Blues manager Roberto di Matteo was only ever going to use this match as an exercise in protecting his squad, and he did so while also giving full Premier League debuts to defender Sam Hutchinson and teenage striker Romelu Lukaku.

Both impressed, Hutchinson with a solid display that will give him confidence if called upon in Germany next week should David Luiz and Gary Cahill fail to recover from injuries, and Lukaku with a bustling performance leading the line.

Teenager Lukaku and Daniel Sturridge were both prominent as Chelsea's movement, incisive passing and relentless tempo pinned Rovers in their own half.

Blackburn, whose only noteworthy first-half effort saw Ross Turnbull tip over Jason Lowe's strike, struggled to venture forward and only some great work by debutant goalkeeper Jake Kean kept the score level early on.

Kean denied Lukaku when the burly striker was through one on one and also produced a decent save to prevent Gael Givet putting through his own net, while Sturridge missed a glorious headed chance from six yards following a Lukaku cross.

The pressure finally told on 31 minutes when Terry's beautifully controlled header from Lukaku's centre nestled in the far corner.

Did you know?

Yakubu's goal was only the third league goal Blackburn have scored against Chelsea since May 2006.

Chelsea quickly added a second with another goal from a player suspended from next week's Champions League final when Meireles shot home from the edge of the box after Michael Essien beat three men.

Yakubu gave Rovers a glimmer of hope to end a miserable season on a relative high when he nodded in his 18th goal of the campaign from two yards after Scott Dann headed a corner back across goal.

But Chelsea continued to control the match. Ramires almost made it 3-1 within seconds when his flick looped onto the top of the bar, Sturridge twice went close and Ryan Bertrand nearly got on the end of an inviting cross.

Substitute Didier Drogba also fizzed a 35-yard strike wide on what could be his farewell appearance at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea's fourth top scorer of all time, who is yet to agree a new contract, got a brilliant reception from the home fans.

His arrival - and the response it generated - suggested it could well be his last chance to say goodbye after eight years with the Blues.

But Chelsea, who will have to wait to discover the extent of a hamstring injury to Florent Malouda, did not need a third goal and will now turn all their attention to Saturday's Champions League final.

Chelsea interim manager Roberto do Matteo on his own future:

"It doesn't matter. It is no problem and there is no news. I am happy. I have had a great time, the players have been magnificent and I will always remember this time whatever happens. I am very relaxed about it and focused on Saturday's game.

Di Matteo ready for Munich final

"I would like to everyone at the club. They have been magnificent and I will always have a legacy here whatever happens.

"We wanted to finish with a win. It was a typical end-of-season game, but it was a good to win and important to go into next week with a good feeling. It was hard to stay focused - with the final coming up it is not easy. We had a lot of chances. We could have scored a few more but it was just important to win and get that feeling of winning.

"We are looking forward and preparing for Saturday. It will be an exciting game and an historic time. We will go with a lot of confidence and belief that we can bring the trophy home."

Lineup, Bookings (1) & Substitutions (6)

Chelsea

  • 22 Turnbull
  • 02 Ivanovic
  • 26 Terry
  • 27 Hutchinson (Torres - 69' )
  • 34 Bertrand Booked
  • 05 Essien
  • 07 Ramires
  • 15 Malouda (Ferreira - 43' )
  • 16 Meireles
  • 18 Lukaku (Drogba - 54' )
  • 23 Sturridge

Substitutes

  • 40 Hilario
  • 03 Cole
  • 19 Ferreira
  • 06 Romeu
  • 35 Piazon
  • 09 Torres
  • 11 Drogba

Blackburn Rovers

  • 34 Kean
  • 03 Mn Olsson
  • 05 Givet
  • 16 Dann
  • 39 Henley
  • 10 Formica (Morris - 46' )
  • 12 Pedersen (Rochina - 70' )
  • 21 Ms Olsson
  • 35 Lowe
  • 23 Hoilett
  • 24 Yakubu (Goodwillie - 75' )

Substitutes

  • 42 Usai
  • 11 Grella
  • 14 Petrovic
  • 33 Morris
  • 09 Modeste
  • 20 Rochina
  • 25 Goodwillie
Ref: Mason
Att: 40,742

Match Stats

Shots

18 8

On target

5 5

Corners

8 2

Fouls

13 4

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +3:25 Full time

Full Time The final whistle goes and the game is over.

89:37

Martin Olsson produces a strike on goal direct from the free kick. The ball is crossed by Didier Drogba, Close range header by Daniel Sturridge misses to the right of the target. Effort from outside the penalty area by Ruben Rochina goes wide left of the target.

89:37 Booking

Booking Booking for Ryan Bertrand for unsporting behaviour.

89:27

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Marcus Olsson by Ryan Bertrand.

87:22

Unfair challenge on Scott Dann by Didier Drogba results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Jake Kean.

86:23

Raul Meireles has a shot on goal from outside the box which misses left.

86:14

The ball is delivered by Daniel Sturridge, Gael Givet makes a clearance.

85:44

Josh Morris challenges Raul Meireles unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by John Terry.

85:24

Didier Drogba gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Scott Dann. Free kick taken by Jake Kean.

81:53

Handball decision goes against Daniel Sturridge. Direct free kick taken by Jake Kean.

81:42

Daniel Sturridge produces a cross, Gael Givet makes a clearance.

80:41

Raul Meireles takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line played to the near post. Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Daniel Sturridge, clearance by Gael Givet. The ball is sent over by Fernando Torres.

80:27

Ryan Bertrand delivers the ball, Adam Henley manages to make a clearance.

78:39

Daniel Sturridge delivers the ball.

78:39

The ball is sent over by Daniel Sturridge.

78:07

Centre by Marcus Olsson, Branislav Ivanovic makes a clearance.

76:53

Free kick awarded for a foul by Michael Essien on Ruben Rochina. Gael Givet takes the direct free kick.

75:28

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on David Hoilett by Raul Meireles. Ruben Rochina takes the direct free kick.

74:52 Substitution

Substitution Ayegbeni Yakubu goes off and David Goodwillie comes on.

74:07

Corner taken right-footed by Raul Meireles to the near post, Daniel Sturridge produces a left-footed shot from close range which goes wide of the right-hand post.

73:21

Daniel Sturridge delivers the ball, clearance made by Adam Henley.

69:33 Substitution

Substitution Ruben Rochina replaces Morten Gamst Pedersen.

69:33

Fernando Torres takes a shot from close range clearing the crossbar.

68:18

Corner taken right-footed by Raul Meireles to the near post, clearance by Gael Givet.

68:18 Substitution

Substitution Sam Hutchinson goes off and Fernando Torres comes on.

68:18

The ball is sent over by Ryan Bertrand, Daniel Sturridge takes a shot. Save by Jake Kean.

67:42

The ball is swung over by Ramires, clearance made by Gael Givet.

65:38

Corner taken by Raul Meireles from the left by-line played to the near post, clearance made by Morten Gamst Pedersen.

64:10

Didier Drogba produces a right-footed shot from long distance which goes wide right of the goal.

63:27

Effort on goal by David Hoilett from just inside the penalty area goes over the target.

60:23

Ramires takes a shot.

59:14

Scott Dann provided the assist for the goal.

59:14 Goal scored

Goal - Ayegbeni Yakubu - Chelsea 2 - 1 Blackburn Ayegbeni Yakubu finds the net with a headed goal from close in. Chelsea 2-1 Blackburn.

58:51

Outswinging corner taken by Morten Gamst Pedersen,

53:24 Substitution

Substitution Didier Drogba comes on in place of Romelu Lukaku.

53:07

Michael Essien has an effort at goal from outside the box which goes wide left of the target.

52:10

David Hoilett takes a shot. Save by Ross Turnbull.

51:09

The assistant referee signals for offside against Daniel Sturridge. Jake Kean takes the free kick.

50:21

The ball is swung over by Ryan Bertrand, Marcus Olsson manages to make a clearance.

49:45

Josh Morris takes a shot. Save made by Ross Turnbull.

48:40

Effort from the edge of the box by Romelu Lukaku goes wide of the left-hand post.

47:41

Daniel Sturridge takes a shot from just inside the penalty box which clears the crossbar.

47:01

The assistant referee flags for offside against Marcus Olsson. Ross Turnbull takes the free kick.

45:56

Romelu Lukaku takes a shot. Save by Jake Kean.

45:01

The second half has started.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution (Blackburn) makes a substitution, with Josh Morris coming on for Mauro Formica.

45:00 +2:04 Half time

Half Time The referee calls an end to the first half.

45:00 +1:50

Paulo Ferreira delivers the ball, Jake Kean makes a save.

45:00 +0:18

Free kick awarded for a foul by Ayegbeni Yakubu on Michael Essien. Branislav Ivanovic takes the free kick.

39:47

Ramires produces a right-footed shot from close range which goes wide of the right-hand post.

42:13 Substitution

Substitution Paulo Ferreira comes on in place of Florent Malouda.

39:47

Ramires takes a shot. Gael Givet gets a block in.

39:03

The ball is sent over by Ryan Bertrand, clearance by Martin Olsson.

38:13

A cross is delivered by John Terry, clearance by Gael Givet.

37:07

Centre by Florent Malouda.

35:05

Foul by Florent Malouda on Adam Henley, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Morten Gamst Pedersen.

33:35

The assist for the goal came from Michael Essien.

33:35 Goal scored

Goal - Raul Meireles - Chelsea 2 - 0 Blackburn A goal is scored by Raul Meireles from just outside the box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Chelsea 2-0 Blackburn.

30:15

The assist for the goal came from Romelu Lukaku.

30:15 Goal scored

Goal - John Terry - Chelsea 1 - 0 Blackburn John Terry grabs a headed goal from inside the six-yard box. Chelsea 1-0 Blackburn.

30:11

The ball is sent over by Romelu Lukaku,

29:13

Foul by John Terry on Mauro Formica, free kick awarded. Jake Kean takes the direct free kick.

28:39

Corner taken by Raul Meireles from the left by-line played to the near post, clearance made by Mauro Formica.

28:31

The ball is crossed by Ryan Bertrand, Scott Dann manages to make a clearance.

27:57

The referee blows for offside against Martin Olsson. Sam Hutchinson takes the indirect free kick.

26:44

Raul Meireles takes a shot. Save by Jake Kean.

26:16

Free kick awarded for a foul by David Hoilett on Michael Essien. Direct free kick taken by Michael Essien.

26:01

Ramires produces a cross, clearance by Scott Dann.

25:15

The referee blows for offside against Romelu Lukaku. Free kick taken by Jake Kean.

23:19

Ramires concedes a free kick for a foul on Martin Olsson. Martin Olsson takes the free kick.

22:06

Scott Dann is ruled offside. Ross Turnbull takes the free kick.

21:29

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Ayegbeni Yakubu by Raul Meireles. Free kick taken by Morten Gamst Pedersen.

20:40

The ball is crossed by Romelu Lukaku, Daniel Sturridge produces a header from close range which goes wide of the left-hand upright.

19:40

Centre by Daniel Sturridge, clearance by Gael Givet.

19:40

Daniel Sturridge delivers the ball, save by Jake Kean.

18:15

Romelu Lukaku is ruled offside. Jake Kean takes the free kick.

15:42

Free kick awarded for a foul by Raul Meireles on Martin Olsson. Morten Gamst Pedersen has a direct shot on goal from the free kick.

15:22

Unfair challenge on Morten Gamst Pedersen by Raul Meireles results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Scott Dann.

13:06

Corner taken by Florent Malouda. Close range headed effort by Romelu Lukaku misses to the right of the goal.

10:25

The referee blows for offside against David Hoilett. John Terry restarts play with the free kick.

5:44

Jason Lowe takes a shot. Save by Ross Turnbull. Inswinging corner taken by Morten Gamst Pedersen. Effort on goal by Daniel Sturridge from outside the area goes harmlessly over the bar.

4:37

Florent Malouda concedes a free kick for a foul on Morten Gamst Pedersen. Gael Givet takes the free kick.

2:47

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Scott Dann by Romelu Lukaku. Direct free kick taken by Jake Kean.

1:51

The ball is crossed by Florent Malouda, Jake Kean manages to make a clearance.

0:54

Mauro Formica challenges Florent Malouda unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Florent Malouda.

0:00

The referee gets the game started.

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