Match Report: Chelsea 2 - 0 Marseille

Chelsea remain top of their Champions League group after first-half goals from John Terry and Nicolas Anelka helped them to seal a comfortable victory over Marseille at Stamford Bridge.

Carlo Ancelotti's side is now ahead of Spartak Moscow on goal difference after the Russians defeated MSK Zilina 3-0.

Marseille, managed by former Chelsea player Didier Deschamps, now face a real struggle to qualify for the knockout stage of the competition.

Chelsea went into their Group F game on the back of two successive defeats to Newcastle in the Carling Cup and Manchester City in the Barclays Premier League.

Deschamps had called for his side to show the same physical prowess and counter-attacking guile that City used to overcome the Blues at Eastlands on Saturday.

But his plan went awry when Chelsea took the lead in the seventh minute with their first real attack of the game.

Florent Malouda's shot was deflected for a corner and when Gael Kakuta aimed it at the near post, captain John Terry stole in to flick the ball home.

It was a dream start for the English champions and it could have been better in the 13th minute had Malouda been able to prevent his 10-yard shot from going just over the Marseille crossbar.

Anelka, who was roundly booed by Marseille fans from the kick-off, brought a fine save from Steve Mandanda moments later after Kakuta's ball had sent him racing in on goal.

Chelsea's night got even better in the 27th minute when Stephane Mbia was harshly adjudged to have handled Michael Essien's attempted cross.

The Marseille defender was booked for the misdemeanour and Anelka rubbed salt into their wounds by tucking away the resultant spot-kick with ease.

Anelka was a constant thorn in the side of Marseille and he was just a yard away from grabbing his second in the 42nd minute when he tried his luck from 20 yards.

Marseille had barely troubled Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech in the opening period but the French champions picked up the pace after the restart.

Andre-Pierre Gignac, who had been largely kept well marshalled by Terry and Alex, sent an overhead kick straight at Cech.

In the 57th minute, Brandao tested Cech's readiness with a 25-yard effort that the Czech Republic international did well to hold on to.

Marseille replaced Gignac and Benoit Cheyrou with Andre Ayew and Mathieu Valbuena moments later as they looked for a way back into the contest.

Chelsea reacted to Marseille's changes swiftly with coach Carlo Ancelotti opting to replace Kakuta with Ramires on the hour.

Ashley Cole and Terry then combined to keep out a fierce shot from Souleymane Diawara.

Chelsea went close to adding a third in the 67th minute but a fantastic 35-yard free-kick from Alex hit the inside of the post with Marseille goalkeeper Mandanda well beaten.

Essien was guilty of hitting the right-hand upright in the 75th minute when Chelsea opened-up Marseille with another move of fluid simplicity.

Malouda fed Ramires in the inside-left channel and the Brazilian calmly laid the ball into the path of the onrushing Essien.

But the man nicknamed 'the Train' sent his thunderous right-foot shot against the post.

Chelsea removed Yury Zhirkov in favour of Daniel Sturridge and the youngster was later joined by teenager Josh McEachran, who replaced John Obi Mikel.

Moments later Sturridge squandered a simple chance to score when Anelka and Cole combined superbly down the left flank to provide him with the opportunity.

Sturridge met Cole's cross on the edge of the six-yard box but somehow managed to turn the ball beyond the far post.

In the 89th minute Essien was narrowly wide when Cole picked him out on the edge of the penalty area.

The Ghanaian looked to have done everything right but his left-foot effort spun inches beyond Mandanda's right-hand post.

It was the last chance of a game Chelsea had bossed throughout to leave them top of the group with a trip to Moscow looming in a fortnight.

Carlo Ancelotti Delighted With 'Important' Champions League Victory Over Marseille

Carlo Ancelotti has spoken of his delight after Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Marseille on Tuesday night, but also took time to congratulate the French side on their own performance.

John Terry stuck out a toe to convert a Gael Kakuta corner to put the Blues 1-0 up after just seven minutes before Nicolas Anelka effortlessly converted a penalty to put the game beyond the French team after just 28 minutes.

Marseille came out much stronger in the second half, but can only blame themselves after poor finishing in front of goal.

Ancelotti recognized the importance of the three points after seeing group rivals Spartak Moscow run out 3-0 winners at MSK Zilina earlier in the day.

“The result was important because now we have six points, and we have a good possibility to finish in first place,” the Italian told Sky Sports.

“It wasn't an easy game. I think Marseille played well especially in the second half. We played very well in the first half and used the entire pitch to attack and created a lot of chances.

“It was more difficult in the second half, we played good defensively but we could have done better in possession.

“[Marseille] took alot of risks [in the second half] because they put more pressure in our half but [that] gave us alot of possibly to counter attack.”

After John Terry’s admission that Chelsea may have taken their foot off the gas in the second half with a Premier League clash against Arsenal at the weekend coming up, Ancelotti took a step back from that notion.

“We worked hard together to defend the result but the Premier League is a different story. We are in a good position. We are top of this group [in the Champions League] and we are top of the Premier League. Everything is OK.”

The French Connection: Chelsea's Dazzling Attacking Trio Give Marseille A Lesson In Gallic Flair

If John Terry thought he had it bad running the gauntlet against Manchester City last weekend, it was nothing compared to the red-hot reception Nicolas Anelka received from one of Europe’s most passionate set of travelling supporters.

Every time France’s enfant terrible touched the ball, the 3,000 Marseille ultras whistled, booed and hissed with a unity that was deafening.

And this on Anelka’s home patch. Imagine the noise when the French exile, now retired from international football, returns to France for the corresponding fixture on December 8.

He will be about as welcome as the mowers stripping the Stamford Bridge grass while Florent Malouda, who was also booed but at a more muted level than his countryman, tried to pay tribute to Anelka’s coolness under fire.

Anelka had converted Chelsea’s 28th minute penalty with all the insouciance he had displayed in the League Cup against Newcastle a week earlier. His strategy? A two-step run-up and gentle roll of the ball into the net before heading in the direction of the Marseille fans to celebrate.

"He was under a lot of pressure because in France a lot of people were watching this game so he had many reasons to prove," said Malouda. "Here at the club everybody knows his quality and it’s great to see him play that way and show his quality to the world. It’s difficult for me to speak about [France and what happened at the World Cup] but I’m just happy for Nicolas and I’m happy to see the team play at that level."

A disapproving French public would have taken note of how the league champions were completely outclassed by Anelka and his friends. At the heart of the Champions League lesson was Chelsea’s French connection, who strutted their stuff with the elegance and certainty of a Parisian catwalk model.

Anelka smoothly led the line in Didier Drogba’s self-enforced absence, Gael Kakuta offered another glimpse of his dazzling potential on the right of Carlo Ancelotti’s front three and the ace in the pack once again was Malouda on the left flank, jinking between defenders, fizzing in crosses and testing the keeper from distance with a series of stinging drives.

The Three Musketeers put Marseille to the sword in the first half hour before relaxing their grip in the knowledge that bigger tests lie ahead, starting with a showdown against Arsenal here again on Sunday afternoon.

Malouda, who has carried on where he left off last season with a sensational opening to the new campaign that has yielded six goals and a creative hand in many others, admits he is playing the best football of his career.

"Yes, of course," he said, before adding with a twinkle in his eye: "I hear that for one year and a half now. Of course I know I’m 30 years old and it’s time to be in the best form of my life.

"I try every time to produce my best game. It’s not always easy but with the work I’m putting in training I get good fitness and I can reproduce this kind of performance week in, week out. It’s good because we have a lot of important games coming. We play Arsenal on Sunday and we have to win this weekend."

Unlike Anelka, who retired from the international arena after being given an 18-month ban by the French Football Federation following his ill-tempered role in the team’s summer debacle in South Africa, Malouda has been welcomed tentatively back into the France fold.

He recognised the significance of performing in front of an audience including France’s assistant coach Alain Boghossian ahead of the next round of Euro 2012 qualifiers.

"I was under pressure because next week I will be in France so if I want to spend a good week I had to win tonight," said Malouda. "It’s always strange when you play against a team from your country but I’m really happy with the result."

Kakuta was the least effective of the Frenchmen but his reputation for creating mayhem is enhancing by the week. Similarly to the Newcastle match, the teenager, controversially plucked from the Lens academy, faded after threatening to run amok and was substituted on the hour mark.

"He played a good game and he played for the team," Ancelotti said. "It is the most important thing for a young player because sometimes they want to show their ability and quality."

During a tie beamed live in France, Chelsea’s French connection had reminded their homeland what they are missing.

Reaction: Uncomfortable Step Forward

Carlo Ancelotti was more satisfied with the position his team finds itself in following two Group F matches than the performance that put it there.

While opposing manager Didier Deschamps spoke of a gulf in class between the two teams on Tuesday night, the Chelsea coach was contrasting the two 45 minute spells that made up the2-0 win.

The first-half contained a goal from John Terry and another calmly-taken Nicolas Anelka penalty. The half-time score didn't flatter the Blues. But the French champions made it harder for their English counterparts after the break.

'The win was not comfortable because we had a difficult game in the second half,' pointed out Ancelotti.

'We played very well in the first half and the second half was more difficult because Marseille wanted to come back into the game and put more pressure on our midfield. We didn't play so well but we still had a lot of chances in the second half.'

Indeed Alex hit the post with a thunderbolt free-kick, as did Michael Essien in open play. At the other end, Alex was part of a defence that prevented Marseille turning spells of pressure into genuine chances.

'Marseille have good attacking play and they wanted to score and we had a good defence second half,' agreed Ancelotti

'In the second half we had more difficultly in playing from the back because they put more pressure on us there. They took a risk of conceding a counter attack and we did have the good chances but Marseille was in the game until the end.'

The manager praised the skill of Terry in turning in a corner at the near post for a seventh minute opener, and declared he was confident that Anelka would convert his first spot kick in the Champions League since Moscow in 2008.

'I have never seen Anelka afraid or nervous. He is always calm.

'Kakuta was good,' he added, the 19-year-old having started the game and supplied the delivery from which Terry scored.

'He was involved in the game and he plays for the team and this is the most important thing for a young player because sometimes a young player wants to show his ability and quality. It was important for us that he can play for the team and I have to congratulate him for the performance.'

Deschamps was asked whether fine details such as failure by a player on the post to stop Chelsea's first goal had cost his side dear, but he responded:

'You could say that was a fine detail and I prefer to concentrate on the decisive detail, the huge difference between the two sides.

'We were dominated both technically and physically and Chelsea had a very effective first half.

'We found really tough, hard to hold the ball up front, it kept coming back at us, and we lacked a little aggression in certain areas. We tried a bit hard second half and we had more of the ball but Chelsea could have got a third.'

The former France international captain also praised one of his nation's current crop, Florent Malouda, who was the outstanding player in the first half.

'Florent is in a great vein of form at the moment. He found space and technically his skill was superb. He works well in tandem with Ashley Cole.'

The win leaves Chelsea with six points out of six ahead of back-to-back matches with Spartak Moscow who have also won their two games.

'It is a good step this victory but the next two games will be very important,' announced Ancelotti, 'but we have a good chance to arrive in the first place.'

Florent Malouda: Arsenal Showdown Is Huge Challenge But Gunners Will Give Chelsea More Space Than Manchester City

Florent Malouda has insisted that ‘big four’ rival Arsenal will be a huge challenge for Chelsea this weekend but expects the Gunners to give his team more space than Manchester City.

The Premier League champions suffered their first defeat of the season last weekend after being suffocated by Roberto Mancini’s counter-attacking style in a 1-0 setback at City of Manchester Stadium.

Malouda anticipates a more open game against Arsenal’s purist style at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

“Everybody knows the passing game of Arsenal,” observed Malouda. “They have quality. We have seen many times teams coming here and try to close the game and it depends if you score early in the game but I think that Arsenal have always played the same way with their passing game and technical quality and they try to do the same against everyone.

“Manchester City was a tough opposition and our first defeat. I will speak from our point of view. We must expect a good reaction in front of our fans. We lost against Man City and now we have an opportunity with a home game to get back the winning atmosphere.

“It will be a big challenge for us to win against a team of the 'big four'. Chelsea-Arsenal games are always important because they are just behind us and we want to increase the gap.

It won’t be easy because there are no easy games for Chelsea but now is time to recover and then we have time to think about Arsenal.”

Speaking after Chelsea cruised to a 2-0 Champions League victory against Marseille on Tuesday – their second comfortable victory in the competition this season – Malouda said it was important for the team to put the defeats to Newcastle United and City behind them.

“I’m happy because we had two defeats before this game and it was great to get back to winning ways,” he explained. “We take the lead in the group and now we want to confirm qualification for the next round.

“After seeing the first game of the season people think we are going to score four goals every time. Every game is different.

“We played at a very high intensity in the first half and paid the price in the second half. In the second half we were in control and we hit the post twice so winning was not really a problem.”

French Media: Bayern Are Winning Kakuta Chase

French midfield starlet Gael Kakuta could sign a pre-contract agreement with Bayern Munich in January, according to a report in esteemed publication France Football.

The 19-year-old, who has been capped by his national team at every youth level, has been tipped for a bright future at the top of the game but is said to be frustrated that his potential has yet to be rewarded with a long run of games in the Chelsea first team.

Signed from Lens in 2007 it is believed that Carlo Ancelotti is eager to incorporate the midfield dynamo into his plans, especially given the trouble taken by the Blues hierarchy in clearing the player of any wrongdoing after he was slapped with a four month ban and huge fine for apparently breaking a contract to move to Stamford Bridge.

Kakuta is currently competing against the likes of John Obi Mikel, Ramires, Michael Essien and Frank Lampard for a starting place; a tough task despite his obvious quality.

Under contract at Chelsea until the summer, Kakuta is free to make contact with potential suitors six months in advance. German giants Bayern Munich are thought to be one of a number of top European sides, but with their pedigree and willingness to blood young players in the first team, it is thought they represent an agreeable option.

McEachran - I'm Ready

Chelsea starlet Josh McEachran insists he is ready for first-team action.

The 17-year-old midfielder has featured in a number of Chelsea matches in recent weeks, coming off the bench on three occasions.

The young left sider was being tipped as a future England international before he even made his Chelsea debut, and he insists he is confident he can step up to the task of first-team football.

"I am quite a quiet boy but on the pitch I think I am quite confident and know what I am doing," he said.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has the same belief that McEachran can become a first-team player this year and he has already ruled out the prospect of letting him leave on loan.

"We won't be sending him on loan," said Ancelotti.

"He will stay here and play here. We now have one more player.

"It's a surprise because he is a very talented player and we prepared a program for him to improve but I think he is improving very quickly.

"I don't have a fear of rushing him because his character is good, he is focused.

"He has balance. He is not afraid or quiet. And for this reason I can say he can play."

Pat Nevin: Little Details, Large Consequences

As Chelsea were narrowly losing a heavyweight contest in the north, columnist Pat Nevin was across the Atlantic watching some other sporting giants in action. He noticed similarities.

I think it was the late George Harrison who had an album called 'All Things Must Pass' and of course they must, even when it is an unbeaten start to the season. If you had to point to a couple of games at the start of the campaign which would be the hardest, then Man City away would probably have been one of them.

To say it was a close game is to under play it, the first goal for whoever was probably always going to settle it. Football can be like that sometimes, the width of a post can make the difference between a win or a loss. Had Ivanovic scored instead of connecting with the woodwork then who knows what would have happened. Actually even more than that, just consider JT and that penalty kick in Moscow. All the headlines, the history and millions of wise words written would all have been totally different.

This weekend I went to a football game myself, but not my usual style. I was in New York on a short family holiday and we went along to see the New York Giants play the Tennessee Titans at American football.

The Giants have always been my team, but I had never seen them live before and it was quite an occasion. Without going into any detail about a litany of fumbles, missed tackles and amazingly poor discipline, the Giants got whipped. But just like the round ball game, it seemed to tip in just a few very specific moments.

The final scoreline may have been pretty wide, but had the Giants touched down when only two yards out I think they would have won. That is sport, small moments can have large consequences.

On my return as I read some of the reports in the English papers that suggested Manchester City had finally arrived, I had a little inward smile. But for the width of a post the story would have been about City having spent millions and still being way off the pace. All nonsense of course, it is simple, it is going to be a tight affair this season, everyone will drop points and the difference in the end will probably still be pretty marginal between the top three or four. I say three or four because it remains to be seen whether or not Tottenham or Arsenal can sustain a real challenge this season to ourselves and the Manchester clubs.

Arsenal will get their chance at the weekend after the Champions League adventures, I just get the feeling that Arsene's men might just struggle to keep it going on all fronts. It could be a case of having a real go at either the Champions League or the domestic league competition. I only say that because the strength in depth in Manchester and here in SW6 looks to be a bit too much, but time will tell. In essence Chelsea can afford to lose this weekend's London Derby, in reality Arsenal cannot.

The same could be said about the match against Didier Deschamps' Marseille. If the French lose this one it will mean zero points from six, a nightmare start to the campaign. Chelsea on the other hand have three points in the bag already and three more would mean almost certain qualification, even a draw would not be a disaster. What it means in the simplest terms is that for a change a team will turn up at the Bridge and almost certainly have a real go at Chelsea. This is refreshing stuff as most plump for the most defensive system and hope they can sneak a breakaway goal.

We could be in for an unusually open game tonight, which is a real change for the Champions League group stages. The competition has many merits but there is sometimes a problem with either meaningless, predictable or over negative tactics in the early stages. Deschamps will not disappoint this time I suspect and European football at Stamford Bridge should be an exciting and unpredictable occasion. Isn't that what football is supposed to be about?

What football is not supposed to be about is 47-year-olds getting their boots on again, but worryingly I have taken a step closer to that. I have actually signed on pro forms for Chester, formerly Chester City. Madness I hear you cry and you would be right. I may well run five times a week, over an hour each time up and down Scottish hills, but getting the size 8 Pumas back on is still pushing it.

It all started as a bit of a joke to get Chester FC some publicity, but when they told me that they had to get international clearance for the contract I began to wonder. Happily it is all sorted out, I will be an unstripped squad player for the season along with former Arsenal striker Perry Groves. If they ask me to play for ten minutes in the last game when promotion is assured, then I might just have a go.

Suffice to say I just hope that any Chelsea fans who came to watch me in my days playing for the Blues agree to do the decent thing and NOT come and watch me now. Trust me it will not be the same.

Another mistake from yours truly was to set too easy a question for last week's quiz. Yes I now realize you all know that Salomon Kalou has a brother called Bonaventure. My inbox will never be the same, but thanks to the many, many hundreds of you who took part.