Ancelotti plays down 6-0 victory

Chelsea signalled their intent with a comprehensive opening day win

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti felt his team did "nothing special" despite defeating West Brom 6-0 in their opening Premier League fixture.

Didier Drogba scored a hat-trick as Chelsea notched the biggest opening-day win in the Premier League.

"We did our job," said Ancelotti. "This team can show this kind of play, scoring a lot of goals.

"We had a difficult pre-season, but now everything has come back to be OK. We played a good game and I am happy."

Chelsea lost to Ajax, Eintracht Frankfurt, Hamburg in pre-season friendlies and Manchester United in the Community Shield as they prepared for the defence of their Premier League title.

Carlo looking forward to 'fantastic' season

But the Blues boss explained that the 2010 World Cup finals meant several key players had returned to training late and were still short of peak fitness.

"We knew it would be difficult because we gave a holiday to the World Cup players," he added. "We made sure they did not come back too early.

"They needed time and good training sessions - and maybe they are not yet 100% but they are already in good condition. They can improve and in two weeks, we will be 100%."

Drogba scored a free-kick, from short range and with a 20-yard strike that took a deflection as Chelsea kicked off their title defence with an emphatic victory over the newly promoted Baggies.

"He did a fantastic job, not just because he scored, he worked really hard for the team," stated Ancelotti.

606: DEBATE What did you think of the match?

"It is very important to have this mentality from all our strikers.

"Last season he scored a lot of goals, and he has started very well, I think he can do the same again."

Chelsea won the Premier League and FA Cup during Ancelotti's first season in charge in England - and the Italian boss stressed that is was important to start well this season as they defend their silverware.

"We want to do out jobs this season," commented Ancelotti, whose team finished one point clear of Manchester United last season.

"I think it will be a fantastic Premier League because a lot of teams will be involved at the top."

Florent Malouda scored twice and Frank Lampard the other as all of Chelsea's goals on Saturday came from players who were at the World Cup.

"It is the perfect start and the perfect reaction to our poor pre-season," reflected France international Malouda.

"It is important to have a good start because we are the champions and we want to stay like that.

"The result is good for our confidence in front of goal but the season is long. We have a lot of big games and we have to make sure that we are ready."

West Brom manager and former Blues midfielder Roberto di Matteo received a warm reception from the Stamford Bridge crowd.

Unhappy return to Stamford Bridge - Di Matteo

But there was little else to please the 40-year-old Italian as his team were thrashed on their return to the Premier League - his first fixture as a top-flight manager.

"Playing the champions away on the first day of the season, you know it is going to be a tough day for you but I thought the scoreline was a bit harsh," said Di Matteo.

"There are not a lot of teams which come away from Stamford Bridge with much.

"We know we will have to learn very quickly, but on the upside, we will not be playing Chelsea every week.

"Not every team has the quality this one does. You can see why they are the champions, they are strong across the team, powerful and play well.

"The first three goals were from set pieces and we will have to do better than that. We will keep working on it."

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