Luiz Felipe Scolari’s reign as Chelsea boss started in style with an impressive win against Portsmouth.

Joe Cole slid home Michael Ballack’s pass after 12 minutes and Nicolas Anelka headed in Deco’s cross from close range in the 26th minute.

Frank Lampard added the third from the spot on the stroke of half-time after Sylvain Distin handled.

And Deco crowned a superb Chelsea debut with a swerving shot from 25 yards a minute from the end.

Scolari hopes to bring a more attractive brand of football to Stamford Bridge - and his new charges certainly delivered in their first Premier League game.

But the display should also be placed in the context of a truly wretched performance from Harry Redknapp’s side, who looked a shadow of the unit that had an impressive campaign last season.

Chelsea took only 12 minutes to score the first goal of the Scolari era, and it was perfectly fashioned as Ballack’s pass with the outside of his foot found Joe Cole, who slid a finish beyond James.

Anelka almost added a second when he was denied by James after racing clear - but it was only a temporary reprieve for Portsmouth as the striker was on target after 26 minutes.

Jose Bosingwa’s cross was retrieved by Deco, who was having an outstanding first half, and Anelka headed home with James stranded out of position.

Anelka’s pace was proving too much for Portsmouth, and he shot narrowly wide after racing clear.

Chelsea lost Ballack to injury after 37 minutes, but his replacement Florent Malouda almost had an instant impact with a driven cross that flashed across the face of goal.

Portsmouth had a half-chance when Petr Cech was forced into a block from Niko Kranjcar, the Chelsea keeper recovering to block another effort from Peter Crouch.

Portsmouth were being totally outclassed, and the scoreline was given a more realistic appearance when Chelsea took a three-goal lead in the dying seconds of the opening period.

Distin handled Joe Cole’s cross and Lampard beat James with ease form the spot.

Chelsea continued to press after the break, with both Anelka and Joe Cole only inches away from adding to Portsmouth’s misery.

Little had been seen of Portsmouth’s new strike force of Crouch and Jermain Defoe, but it finally showed glimpses of promise with 13 minutes left.

Crouch headed a long ball into Defoe’s path, but he was stretching and steered his finish wide.

Chelsea deserved a fourth goal, and it was fitting that Deco got it with two minutes to go, firing in from 25 yards via the hands of James, who should have done better.

Owner Roman Abramovich was all smiles at the final whistle as he revelled in the first impressions created by his new manager.

Ref From BBC SPORT By Phil McNulty

Charlton Athletic winger Jerome Thomas has signed a one-year loan deal with FA Cup holders, Portsmouth.

The 25-year-old has been at the Valley since January 2004, when he moved from Arsenal. The London native started his career with Luton Town, before being acquired by the Gunners.

Arsene Wenger sent the wide-man out on loan to QPR on two occasions, for whom he played ten matches in total. Thomas subsequently moved to the Addicks, where he established himself as a key member of the first team.

Thomas played for his country at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championships in the Middle East, but has yet to represent England at senior level.

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp was reportedly interested in taking the player on-loan in January of this year, however, Charlton were keen to complete a permanent deal.

Pompey will retain the right to sign Thomas on a permanent basis should he impress during the loan spell, though he has one year to run on his Charlton contract.

Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie told the club’s official website: “If he plays to the ability we know he has then he has a great chance of staying here longer.”

Ref From Peter Staunton - goal.com

Sir Alex Ferguson is hopeful of adding to Manchester United’s strike ranks this week - and has not ruled out a shock move for Thierry Henry.

With Louis Saha written out of his plans and Wayne Rooney only just back in training after picking up a virus in Nigeria, Ferguson had only Carlos Tevez to call on for Sunday’s Community Shield win over Portsmouth at Wembley.

Tevez responded with a man-of-the-match display containing everything but a goal as United triumphed in a penalty shoot-out.

But Ferguson admits getting a forward in time for Sunday’s Premier League opener with Newcastle is now a pressing concern.

“It has been pressing since the end of last season,” said the Scot.

“We like to operate with four strikers and we have not been able to do that.”

There is bound to be fresh speculation over a move for Tottenham’s Dimitar Berbatov, while Karim Benzema, David Villa and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar have also been linked with Old Trafford over the last few months.

Henry’s name has just been added to that list despite the 31-year-old’s obvious link with Arsenal.

Tellingly, it was an issue Ferguson chose to skirt round rather than reject.

“There is a name every day,” he said.

“I can’t answer the question because I don’t have the right answer.

“It is possible I will sign someone this week. We are trying and we are looking at one or two options.

“Hopefully we will get something done.”

Ferguson seems to have few problems in other areas.

Even with Owen Hargreaves and Park Ji-sung among the injured and Michael Carrick restricted to a place on the bench, United’s midfield is packed with quality.

And in defence Ferguson is facing one of the biggest dilemmas of his managerial career as he decides whether to stick with Wes Brown, who performed so heroically last season, or bring back Gary Neville, who was making his first domestic appearance since breaking an ankle in March 2007.

“It is a cruel game,” reflected Ferguson.

“Wes only missed two games last season and was absolutely outstanding.

“It is certainly a dilemma. Looking at it, I don’t think Gary will play all the time. If we get 35 games out of him I would be delighted, so Wes Brown can do a job there.”

It seems that Neville might get the nod, although Ferguson does not think the 33-year-old should come into Fabio Capello’s thoughts when the Italian names his England squad for the friendly with the Czech Republic later this week.

“Gary could play in a friendly, that would not be a problem because he needs games,” said Ferguson.

“But I would like him to play a few with us before he got to that crucial moment when you get back into international football.

“Gary had an hour today, which was perfect for him.

“When you think about the length of time Gary has been out for, to come back the way he has is remarkable.

“But he is a remarkable man. He has enthusiasm and determination and the quality of his game is superb.”

Ref From teamtalk.com