Chelsea management were delighted to see Didier Drogba taste action in their 5-0 victory over Sunderland.
"We managed to get Didier some playing time as well so it was a first-class afternoon," Blues assistant boss Ray Wilkins told Sky Sports.
"Didier is just a touch rusty and Nicolas has been playing very well but it is great to have players fighting for places.
"It is also great that Joe Cole is back. He has given us 70 minutes of quality football."