Brian Laws was given a parting gift by Jose Mourinho after his side's defeat against Scunthorpe. It was a copy of the scouting report that Chelsea had prepared on the visitors, in which the English League Two team received warm praise.

"He went into the dressing-room after the game and made the players feel very, very special," said Scunthorpe's manager. "He's treated us like kings and we nearly took a ransom."

Scunthorpe's physicality and positive attitude ensured that they came as close as anybody to dethroning the seemingly unconquerable Chelsea on their home turf this season.

Laws took a pragmatic approach to assembling his own scouting report. "Chelsea are not from another planet, although they have been playing like it," he said.

That refusal to be overawed manifested itself in an early lead and, even when Chelsea had dragged themselves ahead, Scunthorpe continued to create the better chances.

Eidur Gudjohnsen's late strike made it a harsh scoreline on the Lincolnshire team, who could have gained at least a replay had they taken their chances after falling behind.

The substitute Cleveland Taylor missed two glorious chances to equalise.

"I was a bit cold to be honest," said Taylor, trying to explain how he squandered his opportunities, including a header that hit the post.

He was not disheartened, though. "In the week, the lads had been joking that if it was only 5-0 after half an hour then we would be happy, but it was 1-1," he admitted.

Chelsea, who fielded a much weakened team, including an inexperienced defence, would have been thankful that they were level at that stage.

Gudjohnsen and Didier Drogba occupied the deep, attacking roles behind Mateja Kezman with neither well suited to the task in the way that regulars Arjen Robben and Damien Duff are.

Matthew Sparrow, who had earlier given warning of his ability with some dangerous runs, created Scunthorpe's goal with his low cross.

Paul Hayes collected the ball, with back to goal, and took advantage of some overly tight marking from Alexei Smertin to spin around him and beat Carlo Cudicini.

With Peter Beagrie impressing on the other side of Scunthorpe's midfield and Ian Barraclough and Michael Rankine using their strength effectively, Chelsea were unsettled.

Smertin, in an unfamiliar role, was hardly the perfect calming influence alongside the 19-year-old Steven Watt, while Nuno Morais, signed last season from Penafiel in Portugal, looked equally ill at ease.

Chelsea's apprehension was reduced when Kezman volleyed in a well-taken equaliser, and they intermittently displayed the cultured touches that have made them the Premiership's runaway leaders.

Drogba's curling shot, tipped away by Paul Musselwhite, was a warning for Scunthorpe. Soon afterwards Drogba made a galloping run before delivering the cross that Andy Crosby could only turn into his own net.

A double substitution, with Paulo Ferreira and new signing Jiri Jarosik coming on, indicated how seriously Chelsea were taking the threat.

They further upped the ante by bringing on Robben. While he warmed up, Laws was seen whispering in his ear.

"I told him not to come on," said Laws afterwards.

Robben's impact was immediate. Musselwhite had to block a shot from the Dutchman, and the follow-up effort from the lively Joe Cole, before the ball fell into Gudjohnsen's path for an easy finish.

"We're proud of what we achieved but we could have had a replay," said the Scunthorpe goalkeeper. "If the team Chelsea put out played in the Premiership, they'd do well. Afterwards, Jose Mourinho said 'fantastic, well played'. I think he was quite impressed."