Scolari begins reign with victory

Frank Lampard was on the scoresheet as Chelsea crushed Guangzhou Pharmaceutical 4-0 in Luiz Felipe Scolari's first game in charge.

Lampard, who is yet to commit his future to the club, scored with a delightful chip to put Chelsea 2-0 up.

Salomon Kalou had slotted in Chelsea's first, while Argentine teenager Franco di Santo and Shaun Wright-Phillips added late goals in Guangzhou.

Jose Bosingwa came off just 20 minutes into his debut with a thigh injury.

However, Chelsea have confirmed the substitution of the Portugal right-back was merely precautionary.

Midfielder Deco also made his debut, playing alongside Lampard - who is in the final year of his Chelsea contract and has been strongly linked with a move to Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan.

But the 30-year-old England midfielder has made the trip to Asia for the pre-season tour and played the full 90 minutes on Wednesday.

Scolari said: "I have said before, Frank is here, he is with us training and playing very well, he is an important player for us.

"The speculation is normal because until 31 August there will be a lot of speculation."

Scolari declared himself happy with his side's first outing, the Brazilian's debut as Chelsea boss.

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He had found his new club in the news earlier in the day after Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson suggested the Blues could struggle to compete for the title because of their age.

Scolari, though, refused to be drawn into an argument.

"I will not answer this question. This is not a question for me," said the former Portugal coach.

"I think I have a lot of experienced players and also some young boys in my team but I feel we have experience for the Premier League or whatever league."

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