BLACKBURN Rovers succumbed to a late winner from Premier League champions Chelsea despite leading in front of their prospective new owners at Ewood Park this afternoon.

Rovers went ahead through Benjani but Nicolas Anelka levelled before half time and Branislav Ivanovic made it 2-1 with six minutes left.

Rovers' potential new owners, Balaji and Venkatesh Rao of Indian poultry giants Venky's, took their seats in the directors' box for the game, which was preceded by a touching minute's applause for club legend Ronnie Clayton, who died yesterday.

Rovers made a strong start to the game and Petr Cech was almost embarrassed as he slipped attempted to collect Mame Biram Diouf's seemingly harmless chip towards goal, recovering only just in time to turn the ball wide.

Benjani then forced a save out of Cech before the Zimbabwean striker, handed his first Premier League start for the club in place of Nikola Kalnic, scored the goal Rovers' play deserved in the 22nd minute.

El-Hadji Diouf produced a fine cross from the left and Benjani got the final touch to nod the ball into the far corner from six yards.

Rovers then lost Gael Givet to injury before Chelsea levelled six minutes before the interval, with Anelka stealing in ahead of Phil Jones to turn home after Didier Drogba had nodded Florent Malouda's diagonal ball back across goal.

Jason Roberts was introduced at half time for his first appearance of the season in place of the seemingly injured Benjani and the striker got his foot on Morten Gamst Pedersen's free kick before Mame Biram Diouf could only find the side netting at the far post.

Paul Robinson saved from Yuri Zhirkov at the other end, while Daniel Sturridge's 25-yard shot went inches wide.

Rovers had a chance to win it late on as Roberts surged inside Ashley Cole but fired wide when clean through, and Chelsea made Sam Allardyce's pay immediately.

Zhirkov did well to clip a cross to the far post from the left and right back Ivanovic arrived to head home unmarked with six minutes left.

Rovers: Paul Robinson; Michel Salgado, Chris Samba, Ryan Nelsen, Gael Givet (Martin Olsson 35); Brett Emerton, Phil Jones, Morten Gamst Pedersen, Mame Biram Diouf, Benjani (Jason Roberts 46), El-Hadji Diouf (David Dunn 80). Subs not used: Mark Bunn, Vince Grella, Junior Hoilett, Nikola Kalinic.

Chelsea: Petr Cech; Branislav Ivanovic, Alex, John Terry, Ashley Cole; Michael Essien, John Obi Mikel, Yuri Zhirkov; Nicolas Anelka (Paulo Ferreira 90), Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda (Daniel Sturridge 72). Subs not used: Ross Turnbull, Jose Bosingwa, Josh McEachran, Gael Kakuta, Salomon Kalou.

Referee: Peter Walton (Northants).

Attendance: 25,836.