Dalla Bona downs Ipswich

Dalla Bona's winner moved Chelsea into seventh place

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Chelsea 2-1 Ipswich

An injury-time goal from Sam Dalla Bona earned Chelsea three points against Ipswich Town at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian struck a powerful 20-yard shot past keeper Matteo Sereni in the 91st minute to move Chelsea to seventh in the Premiership, level with Manchester United on 18 points.

The game looked to be heading for a draw when an 82nd minute penalty from Marcus Stewart had cancelled out Gianfranco Zola's 36th minute opener.

  Key moments

27 mins: John Terry has a goal disallowed for off-side

36 mins: Gianfranco Zola puts Chelsea 1-0 up with an 18-yard effort

82 mins: Mario Melchiot brings down Marcus Stewart in the penalty area, the striker converts the penalty

91 mins: Sam Dalla Bona's powerful long range strike gives Chelsea the three points

Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri had made six changes from the side that drew 1-1 against Israeli side Hapoel Tel Aviv on Thursday, a draw which resulted in their exit from the Uefa Cup.

William Gallas, Mario Stanic, Boudewijn Zenden were demoted to the substitutes' bench, while Emmanuel Petit, Graeme Le Saux and the injured Eidur Gudjohnsen all sat out.

The home side took the lead when Zola slotted past Matteo Sereni from the edge of the box after good work from Frank Lampard.

It was the Italian's second goal in two games after scoring in Chelsea's 1-1 draw against Hapoel Tel Aviv on Thursday.

Earlier, John Terry had a goal disallowed when he was adjudged off-side after Sereni had spilled a shot from Frank Lampard.

Ipswich had hardly troubled Chelsea keeper Mark Bosnich before Melchiot's clumsy challenge brought down Stewart with only eight minutes remaining.

But just when the game seemed destined for a draw, Dalla Bona assured Chelsea of victory with his powerful long-range effort.

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Chelsea: Bosnich, Babayaro, Desailly, Terry, Melchiot, Lampard, Jokanovic, Dalla Bona, Zola, Hasselbaink, Forssell.
Subs: Zenden, Stanic, Gallas, Gudjohnsen, Cudicini.

Ipswich: Sereni, Clapham, Hreidarsson, Venus, Bramble, Magilton, Holland, Wright, Makin, Stewart, Naylor.
Subs: Counago, Bent, Branagan, Reuser, Gaardsoe.

Referee: R Styles (Waterlooville)