New Delhi: A good second half performance ensured that Ipswich returned to Suffolk with a case of the Blues.
Chelsea needed an extra leg in order to overcome League One opponents Southend in the third round of the Cup, whilst Ipswich defeated Chesterfield by a comfortable, and emphatic 3-0 scoreline.
Despite being surrounded with their home comforts, the Blues have suffered a lapse in form on their own soil, and if Ipswich boss Jim Magilton had been doing his homework then he and his side would be fine-tuning their set-piece skills on the training ground.
As it happened though the Blues' superiority showed through, with World-renowned midielders: Michael Ballack and Frank Lampard striking thrice for the Lions. Wigan Athletic boss Steve Bruce's son Alex scored for the Tractor Boys.
Chelsea came out of the traps in full force and attacked the opposition goal repeatedly with strikes from Florent Malouda, and then Lampard, asking questions of former Arsenal goalkeeper Richard Wright who could only parry both balls to safety.
Ipswich boss Magilton had obviously ordered his side to get tight to Lampard, as the England international received special treatment and was fouled by both Alex Bruce and Tommy Miller inside the opening 25 minutes.
Michael Ballack broke the deadlock though on the 16th minute after some great link up play from Ashley Cole and Lampard, and the left back swept in a cross that Ballack duly turned in from six yards.
The goal seemed to cancel out their early game nerves (Jose Bosingwa was guilty of some erring play), but they were to be given another scare by lower league opposition when Bruce cancelled out the German's opener. A free kick from Garvan led to Bruce capitalising after Carvalho's chest-down, and the Irish international took advantage by firing in from point-blank range.
Michael Ballack's second half strike, from a dead ball situation in the 59th minute, proved unsavable as the bending effort crept over the wall, past Wright, and into the net.
Frank Lampard doubled Chelsea's advantage moments from the full time whistle when he too struck from a set piece; a 35-yard wonder strike that is sure to send jaws dropping from Barnet to Barking and beyond.
Line-ups
Chelsea
Cech - Bosingwa; Carvalho; Alex; A Cole - Belletti; Ballack; Lampard; Malouda - Kalou - Anelka.
Ipswich
R Wright - D Wright; McAuley; Bruce; Garvan - Miller; Counago; Norris; Balkestein - Haynes - Walters.
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