Moneybags Chelsea short-changed by Rovers

Blackburn Rovers frustrated free-spenders Chelsea, twice taking the lead before the Blues forced a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Former Manchester United striker Andy Cole scored after 20 seconds and did it again on 58 minutes after Romanian import Adrian Mutu levelled on the stroke of half time.

Dutch hitman Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink rescued a point for Chelsea with a 61st-minute penalty as new Russian owner Roman Abramovich's revolutionised side failed to win for the first time this season.

Graeme Souness' Rovers seized the lead after just 20 seconds when French captain Marcel Desailly stumbled as he kept the ball in play on the touchline, teeing it up for Blackburn's Matt Jansen. He crossed for Cole to volley past Carlo Cudicini.

Rovers appeared resolute at the back, but Chelsea finally made the breakthrough on the stroke of half-time when Mutu capitalised on Frank Lampard's throughball.

The 15.8 million-pound (25m-dollar) capture went round American goalkeeper Brad Friedel before slotting his shot into an empty net from a tight angle, scoring his second in two games for the Blues.

Cudicini had to shine when he produced a fine one-handed save to tip David Thompson's free-kick over the bar.

However, the Italian keeper then flapped at the ensuing corner from the Blackburn winger after the ball flew just over Frenchman Emmanuel Petit's head and Cole was on hand to stab it home.

Chelsea were back in the game just three minutes later when Australian defender Lucas Neill was penalised for handling Geremi's cross after a neat back-flick by Mutu, and Hasselbaink converted the penalty.

Stamford Bridge's latest arrival, 16.8 million-pound (26.5m-dollar) Argentine striker Hernan Crespo made a 15-minute cameo at the end, but he could not prevent Blackburn leaving with a well-earned point.