Goals from Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka saw Chelsea defeat Rovers 2-0 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Results on Saturday and earlier in the day meant that little was riding on this game, but this was no end of season stroll as both sides put in a hardworking display. Injury-hit Rovers giving as good as the FA Cup finalists, particularly in the first half.

Straight from the off the two sides went on the attack, Pedersen forcing Cech into a save after just a minute, but three minutes later it was his opposite number Paul Robinson who was picking the ball out of the net thanks to Florent Malouda's fantastic bullet header from Anelka's centre.

Frank Lampard struck the woodwork for the home side, whilst Ryan Nelsen and Chris Samba both wasted headed chances at the other end.

But calf injuries to Nelsen and his defensive partner Gael Givet saw Chelsea dominate the second period, Anelka finally settling the game with a driven effort from the edge of the area on the hour mark.

On Guus Hiddink's final game in charge at Stamford Bridge Chelsea could have scored more, but with Paul Robinson in inspired form in goal, they couldn't find any further way through.

Allardyce can take heart from a spirited display, but in the end injuries took their toll.

In naming his starting eleven for the game, manager Sam Allardyce gave Carlos Villanueva his first league start since taking charge back in December. The Chilean getting the nod ahead of Benni McCarthy as Allardyce made just the one change from the team that defeated Portsmouth 2-0 eight days earlier. Whilst Chelsea were unchanged from their 4-1 demolition of Arsenal at the Emirates.

Villanueva's last start in the league was in the reverse fixture at Ewood Park back in November and he almost made an immediate impact on his return to the starting line-up. Intercepting a Mikel pass, he advanced towards goal before finding Morten Gamst Pedersen who cut in from the left to shoot on his right but Cech was equal to the Norwegian's efforts.

But despite that bright opening, the home side took the league after just four minutes with a goal of the highest order. Jose Bosingwa left his right back position to charge through midfield before finding Nicolas Anelka on the right, in an instant the ball was sent over into the box where the fast arriving Florent Malouda got the better of makeshift right-back Keith Andrews to power a bullet of a header into the corner of the net - a sensational goal.

Having previously trailed early at the Emirates and Anfield you feared the worse for Rovers, but despite the set back of going behind so soon, they certainly made it awkward for the side who will finish third in the Barclays Premier League.

Ryan Nelsen headed over the bar from El-Hadji Diouf's centre when perhaps Chris Samba was better placed, then the Congo international himself latched onto a pinpoint pass from Tugay, but his acrobatic volley went well wide.

But the home side roared back, Anelka saw a side foot effort saved by Robinson after fine approach play from Lampard and Cole. Then Lampard was unfortunate to see his effort from just inside the area strike the corner of bar and post.

But whilst it could have been 2-0 at one end, Rovers went up the other end to fashion another chance themselves, Grella picked out Diouf on the right, his centre found Samba but on the stretch he headed over the bar at the back post.

The two sides continued to exchange chances, Robinson denied Cole, then after Malouda had lobbed the advancing 'keeper, Gael Givet was on hand to clear off the line. Before Morten Gamst Pedersen tested Petr Cech from distance, the Chelsea 'keeper just fumbling the ball behind.

On the stroke of half-time however Rovers were dealt a blow as Ryan Nelsen was unable to continue due to injury. The Rovers captain being replaced by Aaron Doran as Chris Samba switched back to his more familiar central defensive position.

Rovers were beset by more injury problems as Givet didn't reappear after the half-time break, Zurab Khizanishvili coming on to replace the Frenchman.

That meant Rovers' centre-half pairing at the start of the second half was a different two from the one that started the game.

But as with the first half it was Rovers who fashioned the opening chance of the second period. Khizanishvili with a forward ball that Stephen Warnock raced onto into the area. But his first touch left him down allowing Cech to come out and claim.

That, however, was a rare opening for Rovers in the second half as the home side started to open up the patched-up Rovers back line regularly.

Florent Malouda should have doubled Chelsea's lead on 53 minutes when Frank Lampard teased his way past Khizanishvili to fire the ball across goal. Malouda slid in and seemed certain to score his second of the game but only managed to hit the ball back into the arms of the grateful Paul Robinson.

The home side continued to build the pressure, Anelka and Lampard both going close, and on the hour mark Rovers' resolve eventually cracked.

Ashley Cole's centre from the right was missed by Malouda but Didier Drogba unselfishly played in Nicolas Anelka to score his 18th league goal of the season with an unstoppable drive into the far corner.

Rovers could have crumbled but to their credit they didn't, Paul Robinson putting in yet another impressive display in goal for Rovers. He saved bravely at the feet of Frank Lampard, and then in added time denied Malouda and Anelka with a sharp double save.

Alas for him the England boss Fabio Capello wasn't here to see yet another accomplished performance.

On his final Rovers appearance on the road Tugay could have grabbed a consolation goal for a Rovers, but Cech made the save from his long-range effort. His day will come next Sunday at Ewood Park against West Bromwich Albion.

CHELSEA: Cech, Bosingwa, Alex, Terry (c), A. Cole, Essien, Mikel, Lampard, Anelka, Drogba, Malouda

Subs not used: Hilario (GK), Ivanovic, Di Santo, Sinclair, Belletti, Mancienne, Stoch.

ROVERS: Robinson, Andrews, Nelsen (c) (sub Doran 44 mins), Givet, Warnock, Diouf, Grella (sub Khizanishvili 46 mins), Tugay, Pedersen (sub McCarthy 65 mins), Villanueva, Samba.

Subs not used: Bunn (GK), Mokoena, Treacy, Olsson.

Booked: Bosingwa (Chelsea), Doran, Kizanishvili (Rovers)

Attendance: 40,804