It was a first taste of defeat in pre-season, as we went down 2-0 to Rangers at Ibrox on Saturday.

Despite controlling much of the game, we were never able to break through a dogged Gers defence, aided by an impressive captain's performance from Barry Ferguson.

Some consolation can be taken from the successful return of Ashley Cole after an hour, and the continued progress towards full match fitness ready for the big kick-off next week.

Both sides had received a rapturous welcome from a nearly-full Ibrox, which was a sea of blue prior to the kick-off.

Our own supporters had turned out in force to see the team take on our friends north of the border, with the 'Chelsea FC - Pride of London' flag flying high among the Blues faithful.

Chelsea, playing in our new change strip of electricity yellow, could have been in front within 20 seconds, as Frank Lampard's incisive pass released Shevchenko down the right.

The Ukrainian forward cut inside and laid off to the oncoming Sidwell, whose low drive flashed wide.

This was an early warning for Rangers, and it was the Scots who threatened next.

David Weir's long pass seemed to catch the pairing of Terry and Ben-Haim flat-footed, allowing Kris Boyd a run on goal.

Boyd was clearly put off by the giant frame of Petr Cech, and, although it looked as though he had done enough to get round the goalkeeper, his shot was well smothered by Cech's outstretched arms.

All this had happened in the opening three minutes, and the game continued at a frenetic pace, with both teams abandoning a patient build-up for direct attacking play.

Inevitably the tempo gradually settled, with little in the way of goalmouth action and both teams looking shy of pace to really hurt the other.

Florent Malouda was on the wrong end of a couple of hefty challenges from the Rangers defence, and was duly booked for a little bit of retribution just after the half hour mark.

The French winger had shown a tendency, as in other games to cut inside and switch flanks.

It was from the right hand side, after linking up with Lassana Diarra, a late replacement for Ferreira at right back, that he crossed for Drogba, who had so far been quiet, to head just wide.

Minutes later Malouda, decked out in banana yellow boots, was in the thick of it again, firing from long range just wide of the despairing McGregor's left-hand post.

That was the last meaningful event of the first half, and at the break both teams made several changes.

For Chelsea, Pizarro was introduced for his second appearance, while Sidwell moved out left as Mikel and Wright-Phillips joined the four-man midfield.

Ricardo Carvalho joined John Terry in the centre of defence, as Glen Johnson switched flanks and Tal Ben-Haim moved to the left. Hilario replaced Cech in goal.

Rangers switched to a 4-5-1, with former Wigan man McCulloch on his own up front, supported by wingers DaMarcus Beasley and Nacho Novo.

On the hour mark, Ashley Cole made a welcome return to the field, his first appearance since the FA Cup final at Wembley in May, and immediately looked comfortable.

An uncharacteristic slip by captain John Terry saw him booked soon after. Not helped by the surface, he lost his footing, and was forced to bring down Rangers sub Sebo who looked to take advantage of a rare opportunity.

Another error occurred not long after, as Mikel, in space looked to square the ball to Ashley Cole. The young Nigerian failed to see Novo hovering, and presented the diminutive winger with a chance to play in Sebo, who, one-on-one with Hilario, fluffed his shot wide.

Mikel almost made amends with a 25-yard drive soon after, but his stinging shot was parried by Carroll, who claimed the rebound. This was after Pizarro had seen his effort cleared off the line by Webster in a frantic period inside the Rangers box.

Suddenly it was end to end stuff, and the same Rangers combination threatened again, but this time Cole was in position to make a superb last-ditch tackle, forcing a corner.

The introduction of young winger Scott Sinclair for Drogba saw Chelsea change to a 4-3-3, with Pizarro the figurehead up front.

The Blues were on top and looking increasingly dangerous, with Wright-Phillips, continually impressive in pre-season, supplying several dangerous balls into the box.

But, it was Rangers who found the net, somewhat against the run of play, after some good work from young substitute Chris Burke six minutes from time.

He cut inside and squared to the impressive Novo, whose 25-yard drive was too good for Hilario, flying into the keeper's top right corner.

This was after Rangers were denied a penalty as Sebo went down under Mikel's challenge, and Lampard went close at the other end.

Within two minutes, the lead was soubled, with Sebo, who could have had a hat-trick, finally finding the net.

The young Slovakian cut inside from the corner of the box, and unleashed a shot that deflected up and over the helpless Hilario in the Chelsea net.

The result will be disappointing for Mourinho and his men, but good news can be drawn from the return of Ashley Cole to action, and the improving match fitness of the side.

By Andy Jones

Chelsea (4-4-2): Cech (Hilario 45); Diarra (Carvalho 45), Ben-Haim, Terry (c), Johnson (A Cole 62); J Cole (Wright-Phillips 45), Sidwell, Lampard, Malouda (Mikel 45); Shevchenko (Pizarro 45), Drogba (Sinclair 70).

Booked Malouda, Terry

Rangers (4-4-2) McGregor (Carroll 45); Hutton (Murray 45), Weir (Webster 45), Cuellar, Papac (Broadfoot 45); McCulloch (Sebo 62), Brahim, Ferguson (c), Adam (Burke 81); Darcheville (Beasley 45), Boyd (Novo 45).

Goals Novo 84, Sebo 86