Goals from Ramires and Loic Remy have given Chelsea a 2-1 lead at Walsall, who pulled a goal back on the stroke of half time through James O'Connor in their League Cup match this evening.

Chelsea started the game positively, as Ramires attempted a first-time shot from 12 yards which tested Neil Etheridge in the Walsall goal.

The Brazilian midfielder opened the scoring on 10 minutes, heading in from an inviting left-wing cross by Kenedy.

Former Chelsea striker Milan Lalkovic tried to get the hosts back on level terms immediately, but his free kick from 30 yards went harmlessly over the bar.

Radamel Falcao came close to doubling Chelsea's advantage after picking up a through-ball from Ramires, but Walsall defender O'Connor raced back to clear the Colombian's shot off the line.

The hosts almost found an equaliser as Lalkovic dragged a shot wide, before Romaine Sawyers rounded off a swift counter-attack with a powerful strike, but his effort sailed wide.

Chelsea should have doubled their lead on 36 minutes, as Falcao had another effort cleared off the line by Paul Downing, before Remy's follow-up was deflected over the bar.

The Premier League champions did get a second goal through Remy, who picked up Ramires's perfectly-weighted pass before firing a first-time shot past Etheridge.

Walsall pulled a goal back on the stroke of half time, as Asmir Begovic parried a Lalkovic free kick, before O'Connor pounced on the rebound to fire past the Bosnian keeper.