Bridge was easily outmuscled by Gary Caldwell after a 10th- minute Celtic corner, the centre-half brushing past the England international to volley the visitors in front. Bridge was left helpless on the floor.

It provided clear evidence why the Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has pursued Cole, widely regarded as one of the best players in his position, so vigorously.

Mourinho may have to play a game of patience in his efforts to land Cole, but he was able to take some positives from last night's performance and in particular the fitness of the team, something he puts down to the work of the fitness coach Rui Faria.

Faria's contribution has clearly been valued by the players, who celebrated Shaun Wright-Phillips's equaliser on the stroke of half-time by holding a shirt bearing the name "RUI" and the number "1".

Mourinho was also particularly pleased with the performance of Ballack and his midfield understanding with Frank Lampard, one which some critics thought would not work when the German was signed before the World Cup. "

"With every touch you can see Ballack's class; his position on the pitch, his relation with Frank looks like they have played together for a long time," said Mourinho. "After that it is a question just of legs because the brain is there. I would love to have one more week of pre-season but it is not possible because next week they go to the national teams again."

After the shock of conceding the opening goal Chelsea soon found their rhythm with another new purchase, John Obi Mikel, showing some neat touches and good vision. He forced the Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc into a fine reflex save when deflecting a swerving free-kick from Lampard towards goal, while at the other end Kenny Miller went close for Celtic as did the former Chelsea midfielder Jiri Jarosik. But it was the home side who posed more of a threat and their equaliser finally arrived when Wright-Phillips unleashed a low drive into the bottom corner after cutting in from the left.