Seattle Sounders 0-2 Chelsea: Daniel Sturridge scores on Blues debut

Daniel Sturridge helped Carlo Ancelotti begin his reign as Chelsea boss with a victory under the blazing midday sun in Seattle.

Man of the match Sturridge scored after just 12 minutes and set up another for Frank Lampard in what proved to be an easy win for Ancelotti against enthusiastic but limited opposition.

Seattle Sounders are second in the Western Standings so are one of the best teams in Major League Soccer. Mind you, that's not saying much.

Quite an occasion in Qwest Field. 65,289 record sell-out, emotional rendition of Star Spangled Banner and a fully-fit and enthusiastic Freddie Ljungberg on a glorious day in the city where Starbucks was born.

Every time John Terry won a tackle or interception, some wag in the press box kept joking that shows his commitment, he's staying and he's gonna snub Sheikh Mansour's millions.

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon, his bald head being fried in the sun before kick-off, has flown in and you can bet that Terry is his top priority. A pay-rise and new contract must be in the offing. It's a hard life.

It's always difficult to read too much into pre-season friendlies. Especially when you have Claudio Pizarro and Andriy Shevchenko on the bench. They're hardly going to be playing much this season.

But Deco appears to be back in favour, sitting just in front of the back four trying to prompt attacks. He started poorly but got better. Chelsea were a bit patchy, too.

It's early days and Michael Essien and Didier Drogba left on the bench after returning late to pre-season training after international duty. Yuri Zhirkov was named on the team sheet and he's not even in the country.

But Chelsea's only new arrival in the starting line-up, Sturridge, was outstanding and looks one for the future.

Sturridge is 19 and left Manchester City for Chelsea with the fee to be set by tribunal. Chelsea better hope the tribunal don't take pre-season friendlies into account.

Striker Sturridge opened his Chelsea account after just 12 minutes with a cool finish after turning onto Florent Malouda's through ball.

Sturridge should have scored again after 20 minutes but dragged his shot wide. He quickly made amends by setting up a second for Frank Lampard who scored from close range in the 35th minute.

Ancelotti made nine changes at half time. Henrique Hilario, Juliano Belletti, Branislav Ivanovic, Ricardo Carvalho, Sam Hutchinson, Scott Sinclair, Andriy Shevchenko, Claudio Pizarro, Franco Di Santo were all sent on.

Lampard and Michael Ballack were the only survivors. Shevchenko's new blonde highlights have to be seen to be believed! Jon Obi Mikel replaced Ballack in the 63rd minute.

Ljungberg had a quiet game but lasted 74 minutes before being substituted.

Chelsea now travel to Los Angeles on Monday for the second of their four game tour of the US against Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan on Tuesday.

Chelsea (4-1-3-2): Cech 6, Bosingwa 6, Terry 6, Alex 7, A Cole 6, Deco 7, Ballack 6, Lampard 7, Malouda 6, Sturridge 8, Anelka 6.

Subs (at half time): Hilario 6, Ivanovic 6, Carvalho 6, Shevchenko 6, Di Santo 6 , Pizarro 5, Sinclair 6, Belletti 6, Hutchinson 6.

Mikel for Ballack, 63 mins.

Subs (not used): Turnbull, Essien, Drogba, Mancienne.

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