Twelve months before Roman Abramovich and his billions arrived at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea brought in just two players prior to the 2002-03 Premier League campaign. They were hardly household names either, as £500,000 was spent on Filipe Oliveira from Porto, while Enrique de Lucas arrived on a free transfer following a stint with Espanyol.
Neither was involved in Claudio Ranieri's starting lineup, though, as the Blues played host to Blackburn Rovers 11 years ago today.
Although Rovers went into the clash just nine points behind the home side, who occupied fourth spot, they were not expected to claim anything from their trip to West London, largely because Chelsea had lost just one home match all season.
From the first whistle, it appeared that the contest was going to go with the form book as Chelsea created chance after chance. However, they found it difficult to find a way beyond visiting goalkeeper Brad Friedel.
Eidur Gudjohnsen was the first to be denied by the American stopper during the opening exchanges, before Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Frank Lampard were both thwarted as the half wore on.
The trend continued after the restart, but once again Friedel proved himself to be equal to strikes from Celestine Babayaro, Lampard, Gudjohnsen and Hasselbaink, which all came in quick succession.
The opportunities continued to be created as the clash drew to a close, but Rovers went on to stun the home faithful in the 86th minute when they broke the deadlock. David Dunn sent a corner into the area for former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke, who nodded the ball in from close range.
Then, as the match ticked into stoppage time, Dunn scored what would go on to be the winning goal when he fired into Carlo Cudicini's net from the edge of the area.
After numerous failed attempts, Hasselbaink scored for the frustrated home outfit from 25 yards out moments before the final whistle, but the Dutch striker's intervention was a case of too little, too late.
CHELSEA: Cudicini; Melchiot, Gallas, Terry, Le Saux (Babayaro); Stanic (Zenden), Morris, Lampard, Gronkjaer (Zola); Gudjohnsen, Hasselbaink
BLACKBURN: Friedel; Neill, Short, Berg, Johansson (Gillespie); Dunn, Tugay, Flitcroft, Gresko; Cole (Ostenstad), Grabbi (Yorke)
Liam Apicella
