Nicolas Anelka's second-half header earned Chelsea a 1-0 win at Porto that guaranteed top spot in Champions League Group D.
The France international completed a deadly individual double over Porto, having scored the only goal in the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge in September.
The win was also Chelsea's first on Portuguese soil in the Champions League, although the Premier League leaders did not have it all their own way, with Petr Cech having to make several important saves.
Chelsea registered the first effort on goal of the match and it was not the best piece of goalkeeping Porto's reserve custodian, Beto, will ever produce.
Anelka cut in from the left wing and, after ghosting past his marker, he whipped in a shot that just moved enough to panic Beto, who flapped at what should have been a comfortable save.
Fortunately for the keeper, the ball rebounded to safety and it was his opposite number, Petr Cech, who was called into action moments later but much to Chelsea's relief the Czech international showed Beto how to do it with a smart double stop.
Argentina midfielder Fernando Belluschi struck a long-range effort that Cech did well to parry and better was to come when the rebound from Falcao was blocked by the Czech international's body.
The enterprising Belluschi, who on this form could well add to his two international caps, struck another delightful effort on goal from range on the half hour mark and this time Cech was beaten, but the ball thudded back off the bar and away to safety.
Chelsea stepped up the energy levels in the second half and Deco could have opened the scoring on 53 minutes, but the former Porto man - who received a warm reception from the home crowd on his return to the Estadio Dragao - put his effort just wide.
Florent Malouda was beginning to make his presence felt on the Chelsea left and on at least three occasions the France winger put crosses into the Porto box that only needed a finishing touch.
One such Malouda contribution proved vital on 70 minutes and this time Anelka was on at close range hand to head home the left-wing centre and ensure Chelsea finished as Group winners after holding off a late surge from the hosts.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Anelka's header gives chelsea top spot
Posted by zeiad79 at 1:13 AM
Labels: UEFA Champions League
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