This result was all about statistics, but only those relating to Blackburn were vital. Sixth-placed Rovers' first win in six league games boosted their chances of holding on to a UEFA Cup place while Chelsea's first defeat after three straight league wins was starved of meaning.
Perhaps the scent of additional Cup Winners' Cup final tickets had helped entice a 33,311 crowd to Stamford Bridge for what, in Chelsea's case, was a game ripe for the employment of avoidance tactics rather than finding a stratagem to win the game.
Not only were the club under the eye of officialdom to ensure they avoided fielding an under-strength side between now and the May 13th showdown with Stuttgart in Stockholm, but the players themselves could have been forgiven for having thoughts of avoiding injury ahead of the big game.
However, the authorities had no cause to worry last night as Gianluca Vialli sent out a team of recognisable strength, though missing Dennis Wise and Gianfranco Zola through injury.
And the way that the home team bit into tackles suggested that the player-manager had warned them not to take a precautionary foot off the gas but to fight to maintain their highest league position in years.
Mark Hughes soon shot just wide and Dan Petrescu's header forced a smart save from John Filan. But the clearest chance fell to Blackburn's Kevin Gallacher after only 75 seconds, when an Andy Myers error set the Scot free on goal.
His shot, with only the goalkeeper to beat, was hit half-heartedly, though, and Dmitri Kharine's routine dive was enough to push it away.
Three minutes after the break Blackburn received more help from the opposition and took the lead. Damien Duff swung in a bending cross from the left and Frank Leboeuf, attempting to clear, mis-kicked. Kharine also hesitated and Gallacher made no mistake this time, tapping in from close range.
Ten minutes later Chris Sutton almost made it two when he shot narrowly wide.
As the game came to belated life, however, the home side had their moments. Tore Andre Flo's goal-bound shot was deflected wide by the fortunate Colin Hendry then Mark Hughes saw a trademark blast on the turn pushed away by Filan.
The Welshman also hit a post after 85 minutes and in stoppage time Lebouef did likewise.
Chelsea: Kharine, Petrescu (Charvet 57), Leboeuf, Clarke, Poyet, Hughes, Le Saux, Di Matteo, Myers, Flo (Vialli 57), Newton (Morris 71). Subs Not Used: Hitchcock, Nicholls. Blackburn: Filan, Kenna, Sherwood (Croft 48), Hendry, Gallacher, Sutton, Flitcroft, McKinlay, Valery, Henchoz, Duff (Broomes 85). Subs Not Used: Dahlin, Andersson, Williams. Goals: Gallacher 48. Attendance: 33,311.
Referee: P E Alcock (Redhill).
