The goal had the effect of upsetting Sporting's rhythm, with Zhirkov's goal providing a further jolt.
Carvalho was again involved, threading the ball through the Sporting defence, Zhirkov slipping the ball past Ricardo.
Malouda took advantage of more fine work from Zhirkov to beat Friedel, and Lampard completed his hat-trick with another penalty.
If it was a simple finish in the end by the Croatia international, he did well to get in front of Zhirkov.
Zhirkov, who had a very mixed evening, clearly fouled substitute David Hoilett and McCarthy sent Hilario the wrong way from the penalty spot.
Even so, Kalou, Jon Obi Mikel, Joe Cole, Ballack and Zhirkov all either forced regulation saves from Robinson or missed the target before the break.
But the renaissance lasted all of nine minutes, Anelka making the most of a Fulop flap at Yuri Zhirkov's cross to tap into an empty net.
Their pressure resulted in a string of corner kicks but no clear opportunities until Yuri Zhirkov's hard volley in the 21st went just outside Isaksson's left post.
While Andrey Arshavin, Yuri Zhirkov and Roman Pavlyuchenko's international exploits have helped them shape their own futures at English clubs, Berdyev's squad have stayed under most scouting radars.
He made his mark in Chelsea history by slipping his spot-kick comfortably past Villa keeper Brad Friedel after another run from the rampant Zhirkov drew a foul from Dunne.
Zhirkov, back in full swing after a brief spell with his head bandaged, then surged down the left and forced a shot that was well kept out by Jaaskelainen.
As United held firm, with an ever-present menace on the counter-attack, Ancelotti made a double change with 20 minutes left, replacing Yuri Zhirkov and Drogba with Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka.
Referee Peter Walton pointed to the spot as Zhirkov went down under the challenge from James Collins as he raced into the area, leaving Lampard to thrash the penalty beyond Friedel.
And after 52 minutes Chelsea took the lead when Zhirkov collected a loose ball and released Kalou, who closed in on goal with his first two touches before slotting the ball beyond Robinson.
Anelka was wrongly ruled offside when a simple pass for Lampard to tap in awaited, before Drogba's backheel and Cole's lay-off gave Zhirkov a strike at goal which the Russian sent just wide.
Hiddink's move to pick Arshavin in his starting team paid off as the playmaker picked up a pass from Yuri Zhirkov in a fast Russian counterattack and scored with a right-footed shot in the 50th minute.
Chelsea's greater quality was stamped all over this tie from a very early stage however, and Preston keeper Andy Lonergan kept his side on level terms when he blocked Yuri Zhirkov's effort after he exchanged passes with Lampard.
Malouda made it three for Chelsea after 57 minutes when he swept in Zhirkov's inviting cross - and the Russian was instrumental as they extended their lead, allowing Lampard to complet his treble from the spot five minutes later.
Again it was a cross that caused the problem as Young delivered into the area, Zhirkov appearing blissfully unaware of the giant Carew's presence behind him as he let the cross go, presenting the striker with the simplest of finishes.
Mourinho's gestures from the sidelines made it clear he wanted Inter to exploit the areas around Chelsea left-back Yuri Zhirkov, but the Russian full-back twice rescued his side with perfect challenges on Eto'o and Pandev as they closed in on keeper Ross Turnbull.
Didier Drogba's excellent finish from Yuri Zhirkov's cross put Chelsea ahead and they seemed on course to end the first phase of their assault on the Champions League with a victory until Apoel substitute Nenad Mirosavljevic raced clear to equalise with three minutes left.
Back came the hosts and they came close to an equaliser soon after the interval as Samba nodded on a long throw and would have found the net had it not been for the well-positioned substitute Yuri Zhirkov, who cleared the danger from the line.
The game took a crucial twist right on half-time when Lampard put Chelsea back in front from the spot after Yuri Zhirkov was brought down by James Collins - and there was no way back for Villa as Ancelotti's side cut loose after the interval.
应用推荐