Frank Lampard underlined his value to Chelsea with a spectacular long-range lob as the Luiz Felipe Scolari era got under way with a 4-0 romp against Guangzhou Pharmaceutical in China. Franco Di Santo scored on his debut while Salomon Kalou and Shaun Wright-Phillips also impressed the new coach in front of 30,000 fans.

Lampard scored from 20 yards before picking out Wright-Phillips with a raking pass that travelled half the length of the field. It was the perfect tonic for Lampard, the subject of feverish transfer speculation, and the ideal start for Scolari as he sets about re-stocking the Chelsea trophy cabinet. “It’s always good to win the first match, even if it doesn’t matter very much,” Scolari said. “The team was relaxed, we had some problems physically but nothing we can’t sort out."

Deco, the Portugal international, made his debut alongside compatriot Jose Bosingwa and Scolari believes the former Barcelona midfielder will play an important part in any success this season. “I think not only Deco, all the players have to make a difference this season because this season will be difficult,” he said. “Deco is a fantastic player and he helps the other players to play more. He is a different player because his style is different, but his style with the other players is fantastic.”

Bosingwa was withdrawn after just 20 minutes after making an impressive debut in an attacking right-back role, but Chelsea have confirmed the move was only precautionary with the former Porto defender complaining of a minor thigh problem. Joe Cole and Andriy Shevchenko were not included in the squad as they are short of match fitness, but while Scolari insisted the Ukrainian will not feature in Saturday’s friendly in Macau, he admitted he was more hopeful over the inclusion of the England midfielder.