Anelka books top spot for smooth Blues
FC PORTO (0) vs CHELSEA (1)
CHELSEA boss Carlo Ancelotti spoke of his delight after the Blues finished top of Group D with an impressive away victory over Porto.
Striker Nicolas Anelka netted a third successive winning goal for Ancelotti’s side in the Champions League, heading home Florent Malouda’s 69th minute cross to put paid to the Portuguese side.
“It was important because it was our objective to finish top of the group,” Ancelotti said. “We did very well because it is not easy to win here.
“The team played well. We took some risks in the first half but the second half was better and we deserved the victory.
“The team showed courage and personality, not all the time, but in spells. We are in a good moment and it is important to keep this high. The players are in a good condition mentally and we know we have a difficult game against Arsenal on Sunday but it is a good time to play against them.”
With both sides already through to the knockout stage, it was just top spot to play for, although Chelsea, who fielded a strong side, were slightly fortunate not to go behind when goalkeeper Petr Cech saved well from Radamel Falcao and Fernando Belluschi.
Former Porto midfielder Deco then fired a 20-yard drive the wrong side of Beto’s left-hand upright before flashing a shot just wide after the break as Chelsea pressed.
But the Blues finally broke the deadlock on 69 minutes when Russian full-back Yuri Zhirkov broke down the left and played in France winger Malouda, whose cross was headed home from close range by his compatriot Anelka.
Zhirkov denied substitute Hulk an equaliser with a clearance minutes later before Cech then thwarted the same player with nine minutes left to ensure victory for the Blues.