Chelsea stroll to Asia Trophy win

Kitchee 0 Chelsea 4 

Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and Daniel Sturridge netted as Chelsea easily won their Asia Trophy semi-final in Hong Kong.

Lampard’s 38th-minute penalty put them in front, before Ubay Luzardo’s own goal and Drogba’s close-range header. Sturridge then produced a moment of magic to complete a comfortable victory for Andre Villas-Boas’ side.

Chelsea will face Aston Villa in Saturday’s final after the Midlands club beat Blackburn 1-0 earlier in the day.

The Blues were predictably dominant against the local champions, who rode their luck before Lampard converted from the spot after Yossi Benayoun had been brought down.

Chelsea had previously gone close to scoring when Drogba’s excellent right-wing cross picked out Salomon Kalou, whose downward header bounced up off the ground and onto the bar.

Lampard’s opener brought the game to life and Chelsea ended the first half with a flourish. Drogba’s 35-yard free-kick was saved and Florent Malouda had an effort blocked on the line.

They went further ahead five minutes after the break when Ubay, under pressure from Drogba, turned Malouda’s low cross into his own net.

Malouda and Drogba teamed up again for Chelsea’s third, Malouda collecting Ashley Cole’s clever chip and delivering a fine cross for Drogba to head home.

Drogba then made way for Fernando Torres, but it was another striker on as a substitute that sent a clear message to Villas-Boas.

Sturridge, who is desperate to establish himself at Chelsea this season, tricked his way past two defenders before firing into the net.

Torres was denied a much-needed goal when he hit the post with a 30-yard drive in stoppage time.