Ipswich shellshocked - McParland

Last updated : 09 January 2011 By BBC Sport

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has poured cold water on the notion that his struggling side are back on track after their emphatic FA Cup win over Ipswich.Chelsea have taken just 10 points from their last 11 Premier League games, but opened their Cup defence with a resounding seven-goal win.

Ancelotti refused to get carried away, however, saying: "We have to play more games to say the bad moment has gone.

"We did a lot of things well, but we don't have to be excited."

The Italian's measured appraisal came in spite of a clinical display in which both Daniel Sturridge and Frank Lampard found the net twice, and Nicolas Anelka ended a 10-game goal drought.

Salomon Kalou was also on target and Lampard featured prominently in Chelsea's third goal, which came when the England international's free-kick was deflected in by Ipswich midfielder Carlos Edwards.

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Ancelotti conceded he was pleased with the overall performance and with his strikers' return to form, but suggested that confidence cannot yet be taken for granted in a side enduring its worst run for almost 15 years.

"There were differences in the first 30 minutes of this game and the other 60," said Ancelotti.

"We were a bit worried, less confident in that first period. When we scored the first goal, everything was okay.

"With this victory, our confidence will improve, but we have to wait to say everything is OK."

Ancelotti was equally circumspect in his assessment of Sturridge, who turned in his second excellent display in four days after scoring five times for the reserves on Thursday.

The Italian praised the former Manchester City player, but stopped short of suggesting the forward would retain his place in the side.

"He deserved to play," added Ancelotti. "He played well, scored, and is a good player and a good striker, very dangerous.

"In the future, he'll have opportunities. We have a lot of games in this period coming up.

"I think he has to fight with the other strikers, but everyone has to fight. There are a lot of players in competition up front."

Ipswich caretaker manager Ian McParland, who took the helm for the visitors following the departure of Roy Keane on Friday, admitted that a week of upheaval at Portman Road had done little to help his side.

"The boys are a bit shellshocked, with the manager going," said McParland.

"For half an hour, we were doing okay, we were in the game. But we gave them three bad goals.

"I've never been beaten like that. It hurts my pride, but I'll bounce back. Let's not forget who the lads were playing against.

"Some Premier League clubs were beat seven or eight here last year, so maybe we're in good company."

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport