New signing Yuri Zhirkov smashed a 69th minute winner from 20 metres out to give Chelsea a 2-1 victory over their manager Carlo Ancelotti's former club AC Milan in a friendly on Friday.

Didier Drogba also scored for Chelsea while Clarence Seedorf scored for AC Milan in the friendly match in front of a sell-out crowd of 71,203 at the home of the NFL's Baltimore Ravens.

"We have to improve, we have to work, the victory is important because the atmosphere is good in the team and for this we are happy," said the 50-year-old Ancelotti, who joined Chelsea in June immediately after leaving the team that he guided to two Champions League titles and one Serie A championship.

"Thanks to all the fans of the United States because there was such a beautiful atmosphere at the stadium and I think the teams played a good match, a good show."