CHELSEA 6 DERBY COUNTY 1

Chelsea returned to winning ways in emphatic style tonight, as fit-again Frank Lampard claimed four goals for the first time in his Chelsea career.
The match began with chances at either end, but after a lull there was only going to be one winner, as Lampard from the spot, and then Kalou set us on the way.
The England midfielder added another three in the second half, and Joe Cole grabbed one for himself, no less than he deserved for a five-star performance.
There was further good news as forwards Andriy Shevchenko and Didier Drogba both returned to action after injury.
Prior to the game, the talk coming from Stamford Bridge was that this was a must-win game, and so we duly delivered, with a display of excellent attacking football.
Paul Jewell and his team arrived in London 10 points adrift at the bottom of the table, exactly the number they had accumulated so far this season.
On a cold and blowy night, they were about to get swept up as Avram Grant's men made amends for FA Cup disappointment at the weekend.
Within a minute Paulo Ferreira had advanced down the right wing, and his low cross forced a corner. Although the visitors cleared, it was a signal of things to come.
After two minutes, Lampard hit the post after Salomon Kalou's pass had provided him with a clear sight of goal. He would have been disappointed to see his left-footed effort come back out, but he would later make up for it.
At the other end Kenny Miller beat the offside trap and found space to shoot, but he fired well wide. It looked like being a lively encounter, but the game settled and for the next 10 minutes there was little in the way of action, the only highlight being the quick feet and precise passing of Lampard.
Derby centre-half Alan Stubbs limped out of the game after a quarter of an hour, seemingly with a problem in his left calf. He was replaced by Dean Leacock, a speedy yet less experienced replacement.
On 19 minutes, Michael Ballack burst through the Derby defence, and was found by Joe Cole. He finished impeccably, but saw his goal ruled out by the linesman's flag. It was Chelsea's fourth already, hinting at the attacking dominance shown thus far.
Two minutes later Makelele handled 25 yards from the Chelsea goal, allowing American Eddie Lewis an opportunity to shoot. His free-kick was straight at the Chelsea wall.
On 26 minutes Lampard made another forward run into the box, Cole again found his man, but Leacock, only on the field a matter of minutes, brought the midfielder down.
Lampard stepped up to take the penalty himself and made no mistake. His celebration, a kiss of the Shed End penalty spot, paid tribute to Peter Osgood. It was Lampard's first penalty at that end since the King of Stamford Bridge passed away in April 2006.
Moments later Anelka could have added to the lead, but like at Barnsley on Saturday, found his view of goal blocked by a wall of defenders.
Chelsea we re playing fine football, with the combinations Avram Grant so encourages abundant. Anelka in particular was dropping deep to link up with the midfielders, while the wide men, both offensive and defensive, were always available outlets.
Four minutes before the break, Chelsea doubled the lead, and made the three points as good as safe. Lampard's through ball intended for Anelka was cut out by goalkeeper Carroll, but his sliding challenge fell conveniently to the feet of Kalou.
The Ivorian made no mistake, striking a firmly hit left-footed shot straight back into the empty net from 30 yards.
A minute later he could have had his second, but Carroll, diving low to his left, was able to turn the powerful effort away. It was the last notable action of the first half.
With no chances at the break, the Blues were free to continue in the same vein, and within five minutes Lampard had almost added a third.
His mazy run inside the area forced him wide, but he was able to drive back across the goalmouth. The shot was wide, and Joe Cole was just short of a connection at the far post.
Derby changed to a 4-4-2 as Robert Earnshaw replaced Tottenham's on-loan midfielder Hossam Ghaly as manager Paul Jewell tried to coax his side forward.
The third came on 56 minutes as Lampard claimed his second. Joe Cole and Anelka combined and the England man squared for Lampard to tap home. It was another finely worked combination around a static Derby defence.
Ballack tried to get in on the act moments later, but found Carroll equal to his long-range drive.
By now Chelsea were cruising, and a fourth goal was inevitable. Makelele picked out Anelka, who was unmarked and through on goal. Carroll parried his effort, but the rebound fell to Joe Cole, who marked an impressive performance with a goal of his own.
Within another two minutes, it was five, and a hat-trick for Lampard, his third in a Chelsea shirt. This time he beat Carroll with a shot from range, hit powerfully enough to beat the goalkeeper's despairing touch.
As if a five-goal deficit wasn't worrying enough for Derby, Grant introduced Didier Drogba, on for Michael Ballack. With four attackers, double figures didn't seem impossible.
Kalou nearly claimed a second for himself, but Carroll saved well as the forward bore down on him. Joe Cole then crossed low and hard, but Derby scrambled it away.
With 19 minutes remaining, Lampard claimed his fourth, receiving the ball from Joe Cole on the edge of the box, turning McEvelely inside out and placing a left-footed show low into the bottom corner.
That strike sent him joint seventh in the all-time Chelsea goal scoring chart, level with George 'Gatling Gun' Hilsdon.
Somhow, Derby pulled one back within a minute. David Jones popped up at the far post adter a through ball had deflected off substitute Essien into his path. Still, the result seemed safe for Chelsea.
Grant also brought on Andriy Shevchenko for his first league appearance since December. Joe Cole, the man replaced, received a deserved standing ovation for his night's travails.
Drogba was clearly eager to get in on the act, but when he eventually did find sight of goal, he found his shot deflected behind.
That was to be the last chance as the Blues opted to retain possession and save some legs as the game drew to a close, marking our best ever win over Derby.
Saturday may not be forgotten, but if the football continues like this, it may be quickly forgiven. Next up for Chelsea is Sunderland on Saturday, where a win could see us within two points of the top of the Premier League.
Chelsea (4-3-3): Cudicini; Ferreira, Carvalho, Terry (c), A Cole; Ballack (Drogba 66), Makelele (Essien 72), Lampard; J Cole (Shevchenko 74), Anelka, Kalou.
Goals Lampard (pen) 27, 56, 65, 71 Kalou 42, J Cole 63
Derby (4-5-1) Carroll; Edworthy, Moore, Stubbs (Leacock 15), McEveley; Sterjovski, Ghaly (Earnshaw 52), Savage (c), Pearson, Lewis (Jones 57); Miller.
Booked McEveley 84Goals Jones 72