Rangers bowed out of the Carling Cup with their heads held high, going down to a solitary Salomon Kalou effort at Stamford Bridge.

The Ivory Coast international notched the only goal of the tie early in the second half, on a night where the R's more than matched the Premier League table-toppers.

Akos Buzsaky had the visitors' best chance, though Rangers - for all their efforts - could not quite find a way past Carlo Ancelotti's side, who ended the tie with nine full internationals on the pitch.

Indeed, Ancelotti paid the Hoops the ultimate compliment during the second half, introducing England trio Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and John Terry.

Despite the result, it was the 6,000 Rangers fans who could be heard loudest at the final whistle, cheering the R's every move and showing their appreciation for what was another impressive performance.

Jim Magilton made two changes to his starting XI for the West London showdown.

Tom Heaton started in goal, while Alejandro Faurlin replaced the Cup tied Ben Watson in the only outfield alteration from the side that coasted to a 2-0 victory against Cardiff City on Saturday.

The back four remained unchanged, with Gary Borrowdale and Mikele Leigertwood occupying the full-back berths, alongside Damion Stewart and Kaspars Gorkss.

Skipper Martin Rowlands partnered Faurlin in the middle of the park, with Wayne Routledge and Buzsaky out wide.

In attack, in-form Jay Simpson was joined by Rowan Vine.

Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti opted for a mixture of youth and experience for the visit of the R's.

England international Joe Cole started his first match in almost nine months following a cruciate knee ligament injury, lining up alongside summer signing Yury Zhirkov, Nigerian Jon Obi Mikel and Florent Malouda.

Up front, Kalou led the line alongside Fabio Borini, whilst Henrique Hilario lined up in goal.

The Blues' back four included international duo Branislav Ivanovic and Paolo Ferreira, as well as Champions League winner Juliano Belletti.

As the tie got underway in front of a vocal 6,000-strong R's away following, it was in fact the hosts who had the game's first opportunity.

After Malouda made a driving run into the box from the left, his low shot was well held by Heaton.

But though it may have been Chelsea who had the first effort to note, the R's were far from being overrun in the opening exchanges.

However, moments later, Kalou broke down the right before sending a rasping drive in at Heaton, but again the Manchester United loanee was equal to his effort, despite the rainfall making conditions difficult for the keepers' in SW6.

Play soon switched to the other end though, and Rangers missed a great opportunity to open the scoring.

Simpson found time and space, but he flashed his effort over the bar after a Routledge cross caused confusion in the Blues ranks.

Soon after, Chelsea had what was their best opening to date, and after Zhirkov's teasing cross found Borini, the young Blues striker headed just wide.

Anyone who thought Rangers would travel to Stamford Bridge to defend were so far being proved totally wrong.

The R's soon broke at pace and after a fantastic, driving run from Routledge - similar to that which created the R's second goal at the weekend away at Cardiff City - he squared the ball to Buzsaky on the edge of the box.

The Hungarian midfielder had space before shifting to his left and sending in an effort towards the top right-hand corner, which faded just wide of Hilario's left hand upright.

The R's were growing in confidence and moments later, after fine play between Rowlands and Routledge, the latter squared for Faurlin, but he shot straight at the goalkeeper from outside the box.

Just before the interval, after good work from Vine, Leigertwood sent in an effort from fully 30-yards out, but that effort went just wide of the target, as the teams went in level at the break.

Chelsea Manager Ancelotti paid Rangers a huge compliment for their fine opening half showing as the teams came back out for the second period, with Lampard replacing Malouda.

But that wasn't to deter the R's and only a few minutes in, Hilario cleared well from Routledge after a cutting pass from Vine had the Chelsea backline beaten.

However, when play soon switched to the other end, Chelsea were a goal to the good.

Inevitably it was Joe Cole who played provider, sending an enticing through ball to Kalou, who appeared to be in an offside position.

With the assistant referee giving the Ivory Coast international the benefit of the doubt, he cut back inside on his right foot and buried low drive in off the foot of the post.

Undeterred, Rangers responded in a positive fashion.

Backed by the partisan away faithful, the R's fashioned a series of corners, one of which Hilario fumbled after pressure from Stewart.

However, the R's were always vulnerable to a Chelsea counter attack, and when Borini broke at pace, Heaton was down low to his right to divert away the danger.

It was becoming an end-to-end tie, and Buzsaky nearly caught Hilario off guard when he fizzed in a shot from fully 35-yards out. Though the Blues 'keeper, to be fair, got down well to parry the effort to safety.

Rangers were desperate to get a goal that would level matters and mindful of that, R's gaffer Magilton introduced Adel Taarabt for Vine, before a few minutes later Hogan Ephraim and Alessandro Pellicori replaced Rowlands and Simpson respectively.

But it was Heaton who was forced into the next save, expertly denying the roaming Joe Cole from close range.

Rangers - to their credit - continued to throw numbers forward in search of an equaliser, yet despite three minutes of added time, it proved beyond them.

Chelsea: Hilario, Ferreira, Ivanovic, Hutchinson (Terry 77), Zhirkov (A Cole 69), Mikel, Belletti, Malouda (Lampard 46), J Cole, Kalou, Borini.

Subs not used: Turnbull, Essien, Matic, Bruma.

Goals: Kalou (53)

QPR: Heaton, Stewart, Leigertwood, Routledge, Vine (Taarabt 66), Buzsaky, Gorkss, Rowlands (Ephraim 74), Faurlin, Simpson (Pellicori 74), Borrowdale.

Subs not used: Cerny, Ramage, Mahon, Agyemang.

Attendance: 37, 781