Ancelotti praises 'genius' Cole
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti described Joe Cole as a "genius" after his side thrashed Blackburn at Stamford Bridge.
Cole, who was making his first league start since January due to a knee injury, was outstanding in the 5-0 win.
Ancelotti said: "I was very impressed with him. Joe is a very important player for us. He has fantastic quality in midfield. He is a genius.
"He's a great professional. After 10 months out it's not easy Joe to play like he did. I'm happy for him."
Chelsea's emphatic win put them back on top of the Premier League, leapfrogging Manchester United, who face Liverpool on Sunday.
Ancelotti added: "Chelsea played very well and it is not easy to play against us when we put great quality on the pitch. Blackburn did what they could.
"I think it was the best performance since I came here, but we have played well in other games.
"I liked this game very much. We played very well and it was a pleasure to see the team play like this."
Ancelotti also revealed he was returning to his native Italy to be with his sick father.
The former AC Milan coach had flown into London on Saturday morning to take charge of his team's match.
"It has been a difficult time, but this is life," he said.
"These are difficult days but after Monday I think he will be better and I can stay here without problems."
Blackburn's defeat continued their poor form and left them hovering just three places above the relegation zone.
It also prompted angry Rovers manager Sam Allardyce to question his players' ability to compete away from home in the Premier League.
Allardyce said: "The second half was pathetic. I didn't see that coming.
"We knew it would have been difficult to get something out of the game, but why throw a game plan that is working so well out of the window? That is what I cannot understand.
"At the moment they are not good enough. Bottom line. Mentally resilient? Not there. Physically challenge the opposition? Not there.
"If you play football away from home in the Premier League, it doesn't get you results. You need all the elements to go with it and we have not got them away from home.
"We have not got resilience, the mental toughness and physical presence we should have to play away from home and win a game of football."
Cole, who was making his first league start since January due to a knee injury, was outstanding in the 5-0 win.
Ancelotti said: "I was very impressed with him. Joe is a very important player for us. He has fantastic quality in midfield. He is a genius.
"He's a great professional. After 10 months out it's not easy Joe to play like he did. I'm happy for him."
Chelsea's emphatic win put them back on top of the Premier League, leapfrogging Manchester United, who face Liverpool on Sunday.
Ancelotti added: "Chelsea played very well and it is not easy to play against us when we put great quality on the pitch. Blackburn did what they could.
"I think it was the best performance since I came here, but we have played well in other games.
"I liked this game very much. We played very well and it was a pleasure to see the team play like this."
Ancelotti also revealed he was returning to his native Italy to be with his sick father.
The former AC Milan coach had flown into London on Saturday morning to take charge of his team's match.
"It has been a difficult time, but this is life," he said.
"These are difficult days but after Monday I think he will be better and I can stay here without problems."
Blackburn's defeat continued their poor form and left them hovering just three places above the relegation zone.
It also prompted angry Rovers manager Sam Allardyce to question his players' ability to compete away from home in the Premier League.
Allardyce said: "The second half was pathetic. I didn't see that coming.
"We knew it would have been difficult to get something out of the game, but why throw a game plan that is working so well out of the window? That is what I cannot understand.
"At the moment they are not good enough. Bottom line. Mentally resilient? Not there. Physically challenge the opposition? Not there.
"If you play football away from home in the Premier League, it doesn't get you results. You need all the elements to go with it and we have not got them away from home.
"We have not got resilience, the mental toughness and physical presence we should have to play away from home and win a game of football."
mnbcmedia - 25. Okt, 15:58
