JOE COLE had admitted to suffering a bout of nerves in the build-up to his first Premier League start in nine months, though, as he departed this arena clutching the sponsors’ champagne, the principal emotion colouring his cheeks was one of mild embarrassment. Carlo Ancelotti tends not to eulogise individuals as a rule but he still described his returning midfielder as “a genius” in the post-match briefings. Cole, for once, was rendered speechless.

This was a mismatch from first whistle to last, a game that at no point even hinted at the necessary edge to be deemed a true contest.

But it was still compelling and entertaining purely for Chelsea’s attacking verve and the fizz provided by the England international at the tip of their diamond.

There were periods over the last nine months when Cole had struggled to glimpse the light at the end of the tunnel. The knee ligaments he had ripped in January may have healed, but there was a setback to endure in July and a slog since to regain anything approaching match fitness. Now, at last, this team has its magician back.

The champagne felt like an inevitability even if, in truth, Cole was arguably not Chelsea’s key performer here. He did not directly assist any of his team-mates in plundering the five goals that reflected their utter dominance, a minor role in the build-up to Gael Givet’s inadvertent first-half opener aside. He even missed his own clearest opportunity after only 28 seconds, guiding a header wide from Frank Lampard’s delivery. Yet his enthusiasm and invention caught the imagination of all present.

There was elusive movement aplenty to admire in the central role he has craved since his days in the West Ham youth teams, teasing space between the deep-lying Steven Nzonzi and the visitors’ ramshackle back line. The trademark tricks and flicks came, verging on showboating once the game was won and Rovers had wilted to the disgust of their manager.

Deco, the man he effectively replaced in this line-up, is capable of that vision. Ancelotti clearly rates the Portugal international’s qualities, saying some 10 days previously that “Joe Cole is very close to the quality of Deco”. Yet Cole allies subtle passing with tireless energy, which is not a strength of the veteran’s game. He was a blur here, flitting from central to wide areas and dragging opponents out of their comfort zone. Chelsea and England will warm to his return.

The World Cup offers a tantalising denouement to this campaign, even if his country’s friendly against Brazil next month may come too soon. Before then, the 27-year-old will sign a new contract at Stamford Bridge. “We’re talking at the moment,” said Cole. “I love it here. The club want me to stay, so there should be no problems. I feel like this is my home.”

That sentiment will grow now he is playing immediately behind this side’s potent forward line. “That position suits me down to the ground. I love it. I played it at West Ham [junior ranks] and I wasn’t the player then I am now.”

His involvement in that advanced berth will allow Lampard to return to a role of emerging late in the box – his goal tally for the week swelled to three with Saturday’s brace – and, with Michael Essien and Michael Ballack in blistering form, this midfield appears irrepressible. Ancelotti, who would like to strengthen his ranks in January should the Court of Arbitration for Sport freeze Fifa’s 12-month transfer ban next month and should he have funds to spend, will be able to concentrate on other areas.

The manager revelled in Cole’s return, hugging the playmaker where the substituted midfielder had only anticipated a high-five 13 minutes from time.

“He suffered knee injuries in his playing career, so he knows what I’ve been through,” added Cole of the Italian. “You want to impress a new manager and, when you’re not quite right in your training and you’re not as fit as the other guys, it’s hard. I need to be free to play my game, so it was difficult at times. But he kept telling me to keep calm, play simple and just let it flow.

“When managers haven’t played the game, sometimes they don’t understand what’s wrong because they’ve never been through it. But he knows it’s horrible playing with an injury. The last few months had been the most frustrating. You just can’t hit the ground running, and I know there are going to be peaks and troughs. But I’m generally moving in the right direction. He called me a genius? I don’t really know what to say to that . . . it’s just blinding to be back.”