POCH ENJOYS BAD NIGHT IN

Benoit makes most of first start for Blues

- PAUL BROWN

BENOIT Badiashile celebrated his first start of the season with his first goal since May.

And Raheem Sterling’s fourth of the campaign ensured Chelsea bounced back from defeat by Brentford to ease into the last eight.

France defender Badiashile had not started a game in almost six months because of a hamstring injury.

But he looked back to his best against Blackburn, who put up plenty of fight for a side lying 12th in the Championship.

Mauricio Pochettino did not mess around with his team selection, showing Rovers the maximum respect by naming most of his stars.

And predictably, Chelsea bossed the early exchanges, creating several big chances that, just as predictably, they could not put away.

Sterling was denied what looked a cast-iron penalty in the early moments.