kalou started the season with chelsea playing in the club's second league game, against west brom; he was substituted off, however, after only 34 minutes. he was an unused substitute against sunderland and bayer leverkusen, but he started in chelsea's first league cup match of the season against fulham. chelsea won 4–3 on penalties, with him converting the second-last penalty. on 28 september 2011, kalou came on for frank lampard in the 83rd minute. he then was booked for handball in the 85th minute which led to roberto soldado scoring a penalty; the score ended level at 1–1. kalou's first goal of the new season came in a 5–0 rout of belgian side racing genk on 19 october 2011. he scored in a 2–1 win at goodison park against everton in the league cup, then scored his first goal in the premier league season in a 3–0 away win against newcastle.