Chelsea ended a miserable week with a confidence-boosting 4-0 victory at struggling Leicester.

Two goals credited to recalled striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink secured a vital win for the Blues' under-pressure boss Claudio Ranieri.

Chelsea's Celestine Babayaro (L) of Nigeria celebrates with Frank Lampard after scoring against Leicester City during their English premier league soccer match at Walkers Stadium, Leicester, January 11, 2004. Chelsea won 4-0. [Reuters]

A midweek home defeat by Liverpool and a dismal draw with Nationwide One Watford in the FA Cup following a Carling Cup exit put the brakes on Chelsea's season in the last fortnight.

But they needed just 12 minutes to snatch the lead when Joe Cole's cut-back was cheekily knocked in by Hasselbaink's back-heel.

Leicester were totally outplayed in the first half-hour but just as they were getting a foothold back in the match, Chelsea went two up.

Hasselbaink's 25-yard free kick was swerved round the wall but diverted past keeper Ian Walker by Nikos Dabizas' head.

The Foxes supplied a greater attacking threat in the second half and Carlo Cudicini made superb saves from Callum Davidson and Marcus Bent while John Terry headed off his own line.

In the final two minutes from time, tried Leicester fell apart.

Substitute Adrian Mutu sealed the points with a curling third from outside the area.

And, in injury time, Celestine Babayaro pounced on a mistake to rifle home the fourth with a low angled drive.

But Chelsea had done enough in the first half to hang on to stay on the fringe of the title race.

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