Football/Champions League: Anelka clinches Chelsea group win on the nod

2009/11/26

PORTO: A second half header from Nicolas Anelka handed Chelsea victory in Champions League Group D on Wednesday, securing a 1-0 win over Porto to clinch top spot. Anelka had been the Portuguese side's assassin in the opening match in the group and once again the Frenchman made the difference, launching himself to connect with Florent Malouda's cross from the left after good approach work from Yuri Zhirkov, the Russian making a rare start.

The 69th-minute effort, Anelka's third goal of the competition this season, left Chelsea as clear group victors with 13 points though Porto had already ensured qualification with the nine points they had racked up beforehand to secure a spot in the last 16.

In the same group, Atletico Madrid had to come from behind to draw 1-1 at minnows APOEL Nicosia, likewise winless to date.

Chelsea were good value for their win in a tight encounter.

Michael Ballack fired an early deflected effort wide as the visitors settled quickly and Didier Drogba then sent a header from a Deco cross off target.

But Porto came close to taking the lead on 21 minutes when Cech saved well from Fernando Belluschi, who then hit the bar with a rasping drive after latching on to a pass from Silvestre Varela.

Drogba started despite coach Carlo Ancelotti hinting beforehand he might rest the Ivorian, suspended for the opening three pool games following his outburst at the referee of the Blues' semi-final against Barcelona last season.

Ancelotti also handed a start to Deco, in place of Joe Cole. The Brazilian-born Portuguese lifted the trophy with Porto under Jose Mourinho in 2004.

Porto Jesualdo Ferreira left Brazil striker Hulk on the bench and also had to field second choice keeper Beto after regular Helton failed a fitness test on an ankle problem.

Deco fired inches wide following a probing Anelka run down the left as Chelsea came out in attacking mode after the break.

Porto responded as Ferreira withdrew Varela, giving Hulk half an hour to prove his worth and add to his two-goal tally in the competition.

Hulk put himself about but a late close-range drive was well smothered by Cech.

The home fans roused themselves for a belated cheer as Deco made way for Cole with minutes remaining. - AFP

Champions League group stage results on Wednesday:

Group A

Bordeaux (FRA) 2 Juventus (ITA) 0
Bayern Munich (GER) 1 Maccabi Haifa (ISR) 0

Group B
CSKA Moscow (RUS) 2 Wolfsburg (GER) 1
Manchester United (ENG) 0 Besiktas (TUR) 1

Group C
Real Madrid (ESP) 1 FC Zurich (SUI) 0
AC Milan (ITA) 1 Marseille (FRA) 1

Group D
FC Porto (POR) 0 Chelsea (ENG) 1
APOEL Nicosia (CYP) 1 Atletico Madrid (ESP) 1