Ancelotti welcomes challenge awaiting Chelsea at Eastlands

The Blues went four points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League with a brace from Florent Malouda and other strikes from Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba.

All the goals came in a first half which Chelsea dominated and Ancelotti's side have scored 25 in all competitions and 21 in the domestic top flight. But victories over West Brom, Wigan, Stoke, West Ham and Blackpool have hardly stretched the champions and Ancelotti accepts their biggest challenge will come against City at Eastlands at the weekend.

"It is important to have confidence in our play – we have that," said Ancelotti. "We know the next game in the league will be more difficult. But if we can do it away at a fantastic team like Manchester City, it is an important test."

He added: "It is an important test for us next week but it is also an important test for them. We have not played against the top teams but we are playing well. It is necessary for us to do it against the top teams."

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway watched his side capitulate in the opening 45 minutes.

"The plan was to keep it tight in the opening 10 minutes but that plan went out of the window," he said. "I am disappointed, obviously.

"They have a fantastic team here. They are world class. Hairs that I thought I'd lost were standing up at some of their football."