Spencer turns out Blackpool's lights

Treat this like it was a Uefa Cup tie, Ruud Gullit, the Chelsea player- manager, had told his team before the kick-off, and with exemplary efficiency they dispatched a team for whom Europe is just a distant dream. Blackpool have more chance of a lightless promenade than their team has of reaching the third round of the Coca-Cola Cup.

A goal in the first minute by James Quinn gave Blackpool hope that was quashed by the Premiership team who have yet to be beaten this season and it was also tinged with regret when Tony Butler was sent off after 72 minutes for a second bookable offence. Goals from Jody Morris, Dan Petrescu, Mark Hughes and John Spencer made next Wednesday's second leg at Stamford Bridge a formality.

"I was particularly pleased that Mark Hughes got a goal," Gullit said. "He gets kicked a lot and sometimes it's difficult for him to stay calm. We have to tell him to keep cool and tonight he got a reward."

Gary Megson, the Blackpool manager, had told his team beforehand: "If the game becomes a competition as to who can pass best or who can control the ball, then Chelsea have the advantage. But football is not just that, other things come into it, like closing down and battling."

He need not have worried, because the home team began like lions after raw meat and were ahead after just 53 seconds. Although how much that was due to Blackpool's intent or Chelsea's neglect is debatable, because the Premiership defence was transfixed when Andy Preece went down under a tackle and allowed him to stand up and pass the ball to Quinn from just inside the area. The Northern Ireland international striker dispatched the ball into a corner of the net.

Chelsea were clearly rattled although even as Blackpool thundered into tackles and pinned the aristocrats into their area, evidence of their escape route became apparent.

The 17-year-old Morris was exploiting the space between David Linighan and Ben Dixon and twice in the first nine minutes shot when a pass might have been more profitable.

It proved to be third time lucky when Spencer split the Blackpool defence in the 17th minute and Morris appeared on the blind side. With one touch he controlled the ball and then flicked it over Steve Banks with the outside of his right foot.

The fact that Blackpool's fire still burned was apparent in that half- time was sandwiched between two charges upfield that threatened to shake Chelsea's well-being. First Gary Brabin headed just wide then Micky Mellon's shot had Kevin Hitchcock scampering across his line to save.

As Blackpool looked promising, however, Chelsea struck. A short corner on the right was played by Spencer to Petrescu whose quick feet took him past Mellon before firing into the far corner from a narrow angle.

In an area packed with defenders it was a soft goal, but the next two were absolute beauties. Both were first-time shots, the first from Hughes that crashed into the net, the second, four minutes from time, delightfully placed by Spencer. Both were from a range of around 12 yards and Banks did not have an earthly, which is about the size of Blackpool's prospects next week.

Blackpool (3-5-2): Banks; Butler, Linighan, Brabin; Bryan, Mellon, Bonner (Lydiate, 84), Quinn, Dixon (Barlow, 76); Ellis, Preece. Substitute not used: Parks (gk).

Chelsea (4-5-1): Hitchcock; Petrescu, Duberry, Lee, Clarke (Nicholls, h-t); Morris, Burley, Spencer, Di Matteo, Wise; Hughes. Substitutes not used: Leboeuf, Colgan (gk).

Referee: R Dilkes (Mossley).