This was not quite a return to form for Chelsea but it was an encouraging step in the right direction, albeit against a Blackburn side whose ability seemed as limited as their ambition.

Carlo Ancelotti went into this game hoping for proof that last weekend's 7-0 FA Cup demolition of IpswichTown had propelled his team out of the rut that they had sunk into over the past two months, during which they had won only one of nine Premier League games.

The initial signs were promising for the Italian as Chelsea nearly blew Blackburn away in the opening minutes, during which the ball was barely out of the visitors' half. Even the much-maligned Ramires looked formidable and nearly gave the hosts the lead in the third minute, but his shot from 10 yards following a half-cleared corner cannoned back off the bar.

Chelsea dominated possession for the rest of the half but, with the visitors defending with diligence and great numbers, often struggled to pick a way through Blackburn, their approach work often suffering from stodgy predictability.

Didier Drogba, José Bosingwa and Nicolas Anelka all tried their luck from distance but their shots failed to find the target and for a while this seemed like being another frustrating afternoon for Ancelotti. In the 33rd minute, Anelka did manage to release Drogba with a ball straight through the middle but Gaël Givet – hardly a speedster – managed to catch up with the Ivorian and make a saving tackle just as he wound up as shot. Clearly Drogba, though willing, is not yet back to his best.

Sighs began to be heard around Stamford Bridge and they almost turned to shrieks when Blackburn sweptunexpectedly forward in the 34th minute and worked an opening for David Hoilett. Petr Cech produced a fine save to foil the attempted smash-and-grab. Two minutes before the break Chelsea came close again, Drogba delivering a cross from the

right that Anelka met with a neat flick six yards out - for the second time, however, the champions were thwarted by the frame of the goal.

Blackburn introduced new re-signing Roque Santa Cruz at half-time, seemingly in a bid to sharpen their offensive threat, but the direction of play continued to be overwhelmingly towards the other penalty area.

In the 56th minute, Chelsea finally forced their way in front with a goal born more of persistence than of inspiration.

John Terry sent a firm header into a cluster of bodies around the six-yard box following a Drogba corner and, as Ryan Nelsen struggled to clear, Branislav Ivanovic squeezed the ball over the line from five yards. Relief exploded around the ground.

Blackburn never looked like scrounging an equaliser, and Drogba, Terry and Frank Lampard – who was a peripheral influence throughout – all fluffed chances to extend the lead but Rovers' luck ran out in the 76th minute, when Chelsea struck their second.

Ivanovic was again instrumental, sending a powerful header towards goal following a Drogba corner. It would probably have crossed the line without Anelka's assistance but the striker, without a Premier League goal in over two months, gave it a helping prod from one yard just to make sure.

"I think our bad moment is over," declared Ancelotti, who nevertheless was not getting carried away over successive home victories. "Our play was good, with more intensity and quality, but our last two games have been at home. We have to check now how we are away – next week's game at Bolton is very important."

He was sufficiently buoyed, however, to suggest that there is still life in his team's ailing title challenge. "We have more confidence now and I am sure we will do better in the Premier League – it's not easy to close the gap but we have to think that we can," said the Italian. "We won last year and we want to do everything to be in the competition until the end."

Ancelotti scoffed at suggestions that this win had saved his job. "I never doubted the support of my club was very close to me and the players," he said.

THE FANS' PLAYER RATINGS AND VERDICT

TRIZIA FIORELLINO, ChelseaSupportersGroup.net Ivanovic is our player of the year so far, I can't believe the rumours that we are quibbling over his contract – we need to pay whatever it takes to keep him at the Bridge. Overall, it wasn't too convincing, but there was a little more positivity on the pitch. Lampard is not match-fit yet, but he's making a difference, orchestrating the midfield. Blackburn were very negative and we again weren't at our best, so if they'd had more of a go they might have got something. Despite the win, we're definitely out of the title race. We need to find some form and secure a Champions League place. Whatever happens on top will be a bonus.

The fan's player ratings Cech 8; Bosingwa 7, Terry 8, Ivanovic 9, Cole 9; Ramires 9, Essien 7 (McEachran 80 9), Lampard 8; Anelka 8 (Kalou 79 7), Drogba 7, Malouda 7 (Sturridge 87 8)

MARCUS TATTERSALL, Observer reader It was a case of spot the difference between the old Allardyce methods and Steve Kean's new Rovers. The subtle changes he's made, with the full-backs pushing on, have been more positive, but that was rarely seen today. Which is a shame because Chelsea looked a shadow of the team they were, and it was a golden opportunity to get at least a point. Their goals seemed to be carbon copies, even though defending set pieces is one of our strengths. Santa Cruz looked class when he came on, but we desperately need a creative midfielder – forget bidding for Ronaldinho, I'd have Charlie Adam. I think he's a great player.

The fan's player ratings Robinson 8; Salgado 7, Samba 6, Nelsen 8, Givet 7; MB Diouf 6, Dunn 5 (Lowe 24 6), Pedersen 6, Olsson 6; Hoilett 5 (Roberts 68 5); Kalinic 5 (Santa Cruz 45 7)

To take part in the Fans' Verdict, email sport@observer.co.uk