Previous Match
A Michael Ballack brace, his second a brilliant free-kick, was followed by one even better one from Frank Lampard to ensure safe FA Cup passage.
The upturn in form continues although once again character was needed. The half-time score at a chilly Stamford Bridge was 1-1.
Ipswich had adopted a positive approach and a 4-4-2 shape. They equalised after an early Chelsea opener. But the Blues had created chances throughout and it was our own set-piece prowess that carried us through.
Scolari certainly didn't take this game lightly in terms of team selection.
Ballack had overcome a midweek knock so started, making it just one change from the Stoke game. Belletti was a replacement for suspended Mikel as the midfield holder.
On the bench once more were big guns Didier Drogba and Deco, plus Miroslav Stoch who showed such promise in his cameo last weekend.
When the game kicked-off, Malouda worked Richard Wright as early as the second minute with a tight-angle drive and then Lampard shot wide as Chelsea followed up.
The ball was then moved quickly thanks to Belletti's vision in the seventh minute, Lampard's delivery into the six-yard box just too strong for the closing blue shirts.
Then on eight minutes, Ballack speared a shot just inches wide after Anelka had picked the German out on the right, just beyond the last defender.
Chelsea were using the width of the pitch at every opportunity and it was a combination of that tactic and quick passing that made the breakthrough. Lampard, it almost goes without saying, was involved with a well-judged ball to the advanced Ashley Cole.
The left-back, with a first-time touch, centred to Ballack for a straight-forward right-foot finish from just eight yards out.
The German would go close with a longer range effort soon after but not before Alex Bruce, son of Steve, dumped Lampard on his backside to earn the game's first booking.
On 27 minutes, Alex fouled just outside the Chelsea box and Miller's free-kick cleared the crossbar with the Ipswich fans noisily anticipating much more - but Cech was covering the flight of the ball diligently.
It was from another free-kick, this time conceded by Carvalho, that the equaliser came. Played to the far-post area, the ball bounced around between a forest of legs but when the Blues failed to clear, Bruce took his chance to smash past Cech from close range. 
Yet again, set-piece vulnerability had struck. Chelsea came close to a quick response with a dangerous low cross but Ipswich, now buoyed by their success, launched a three-onto-three break before Haynes shot wastefully over.
Before the break, Cech had to deal with a long-range attempt, but not from as far out as Belletti's 40th minute ambitious strike that curled well wide.
Heading into the dressing room at half-time, questions must have been in Chelsea minds as to how the desired early goal had come but with Ipswich needing to open out, no more had followed.
Forty seconds after the restart, Lampard attempted to catch Wright cold but the keeper pouched a dipping ball.
Two minutes later, Kalou waited his moment before curling just wide after Malouda's best pass of the game so far. The start to the second half was a good one.
On 55 minutes, Anelka's quick feet drew a foul from Ipswich captain McAuley (who was booked) but the free-kick was over-complicated. Lampard's eventual shot flew well over.
There was no such messing around when a similar free-kick was won by Kalou just two minutes later. Ballack took his turn and from 25-yards out, silenced taunts from the Ipswich fans behind the goal by curling a superb free-kick out of the reach of Wright and just inside the near post.
By then, a first substitution had been made, Drogba on for Malouda but it was the other attacker on the pitch that was next to threaten, Kalou's shot saved low down after he'd beaten the offside call.
Ballack had a 66th minute drive pushed out by the keeper, Bosingwa hitting a follow-up effort straight back to him.
On 69 minutes Scolari made an enforced switch, Ivanovic on for Carvalho who had been playing in midfield for a couple of minutes due to a problem.
Kalou should have put daylight between the teams but headed over a Lampard cross at the far post.
Ipswich came close to turning an Anelka cross into their own net on 77 minutes and two minutes later, any hopes Ballack was harbouring of a hat-trick disappeared as he was replaced by Deco.
Ipswich were paying the price in the second half for snatching at half-chances, substitute Stead among the culprits. The visitors had not been afraid to push men into attack.
However the Tractor Boy threat was finally extinguished with six minutes left on the clock. 
Ballack's second had arguably been the best free-kick of the season but Lampard was not prepared to be upstaged. From a full 35-yards out, he caught the ball perfectly. It rose over the wall before dipping into the far top corner. The keeper didn't have a prayer.
It must be the best set-piece our prolific number 8 has ever hit. The contest was over. draw for the FA Cup fifth round is on Sunday at 6.15pm .
Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech; Bosingwa, Alex, Carvalho (Ivanovic 69), A Cole; Ballack (Deco 79), Belletti, Lampard (c); Kalou, Anelka, Malouda (Drogba 57).
Scorers Ballack 15, 58, Lampard 84.
Ipswich(4-4-2): R Wright; Bruce, McAuley (c), Balkestein, D Wright; Haynes (Lisbie 58), Miller (Quinn 81), Garvan, Norris; Walters (Stead 70), Counago.
Scorer Bruce 32.
Booked Bruce 18, McAuley 55, Miller 84.
