The last time Chelsea played at Pride Park, there was a minor earth tremor during the game. There was nothing quite so dramatic this time although a sending-off to Michael Essien in stoppage time put a dampener on an otherwise clinical away win.

Goals from Salomon Kalou in the first-half and Shaun Wright-Phillips in the second ensured that the bottom club were overcome as we once again made light of a two-week break during which most of our players were away.

The line-up reflected the rigours of international duty with the fresh Sidwell and Mikel chosen in midfield while Essien and Makelele, who both played two internationals, were either on the bench in the former case or not involved at all in the latter.

Shevchenko came in for the injured Drogba, flanked by Kalou and Wright-Phillips. Returning at left-back was Ashley Cole for his first Chelsea action in six weeks.

The Derby fans amused themselves from the off by booing our England players every time they were on the ball, even those not on the wet Wembley pitch last Wednesday.

Chelsea's response was unhurried but cautious, barely leaving our own half during the opening 10 minutes - the sole venture into the Derby area a Kalou cross that found a dearth of team-mates at the far post.

Lampard blasted well over from 30 yards on 14 minutes but there remained a lack of penetration from the fluorescent-shirted visitors. Derby's passes forward were simply wayward.

Suddenly on 16 minutes it all clicked for Chelsea. Mikel, Lampard and Sidwell passes cut through the Rams' defence like a knife through butter and Kalou was calmness personified as he took a touch and then slotted home low. It was the Ivorian's third goal this week.

Chelsea patiently kept possession and the lead while Derby toiled away. On 29 minutes, Wright-Phillips, now on the left where he would remain throughout the rest of the first-half, slipped past Griffin and let loose a swerving shot that Bywater beat out in hurried fashion.

On 38 minutes, Kalou spurned a gilt-edged chance for his second, the opening created by a ridiculously misplaced header from Derby centre-back Davis after Wright-Phillips had pumped the ball up high. From four yards out, Kalou ballooned his volley over the bar.

Half-time came and went with no changes to either side, apart from Wright-Phillips returning to the right-flank.

Lampard forced a save from Bywater with a fiercely driven free-kick from out wide four minutes into the second period. At the other end, Cudicini saved with his legs from an angled Fagan volley.

Derby fans demonstrated a healthy sense of gallows humour with lengthy celebrations after Miller put the ball in the Chelsea net long after the offside flag had been seen by everyone. They were fast approaching 600 minutes since their last allowed goal. Replays suggested the decision to raise the flag on this occasion may have been false.

Meanwhile Chelsea needed to be a little concerned that the standard of our play had declined. Derby were pushing forward and our passes were going astray.

Seventy-two minutes in came the game's most controversial moment and Chelsea's second goal. Shevchenko, having just been disposed himself, won the ball back with a robust challenge on Barnes.

The ball was worked up to Lampard who danced around several tackles before smashing a shot against the post. Wright-Phillips collected and fired the rebound in.

Derby were furious. Barnes was still down and would need to be replaced. They were convinced Shevchenko's challenge had been illegal.

Before the restart, Essien was introduced for Sidwell. Derby sprung forward and it took a dash from his line by Cudicini and a block by Ben-Haim to prevent Miller making the most of the breakaway. Ashley Cole was booked for dissent in the aftermath.

Howard missed with a good heading opportunity in front of the Chelsea goal with five minutes remaining and we had survived what would be the last scare.

Two minutes into added time came the red card, a straight one to Essien for what was an open-handed push-off into the face of Miller. He will miss the West Ham, Sunderland and Arsenal games.

A fourth consecutive away league win leaves Chelsea fourth in the table, just two points behind second placed Man United. 

Chelsea Cudicini; Belletti, Ben-Haim, Terry (c), A Cole; Sidwell (Essien 73), Mikel, Lampard (Pizarro 89); Wright-Phillips, Shevchenko, Kalou.
Scorers Kalou 16, Wright-Phillips 72.
Booked A Cole 75.
Sent-off Essien 90+2

Derby Bywater; Griffin, Moore, Davis, McEveley; Fagan (Earnshaw 84), Oakley (c), (Feilhaber 83), Leacock, Jones, Barnes (Howard 74); Miller.