Source: Team_Talk
Ancelotti: Blues are in the box seat
Carlo Ancelotti admitted Chelsea are in pole position to win Group F of the Champions League after cruising past Marseille on Tuesday night.[LNB] First-half strikes from John Terry and Nicolas Anelka, who converted a penalty, completed a 2-0 victory over the French champions at Stamford Bridge.[LNB]The Blues have two wins from two matches and Ancelotti believes they are now well placed to reach the second round.[LNB]"I think we're in control of our qualification. This victory was a good step," said the Chelsea manager.[LNB]"We have four more matches to play and the next two against Spartak Moscow will be important.[LNB]"There is a good possibility that we'll finish in first place."[LNB]Other than a purple patch in the second half when Marseille took command, Chelsea were rarely in trouble and hit the woodwork twice in the last 20 minutes through Alex and Michael Essien.[LNB]Ancelotti, however, insisted it was anything but an easy night's work.[LNB]"It wasn't comfortable because the second half was more difficult as Marseille wanted to get back into the game," he said.[LNB]"They put pressure on our midfield and we didn't play as well as the first half but we did create a lot of chances. We had less chance to play from the back.[LNB]"The first goal was very good skill from John to score. The game was easier after that but Marseille were in the game until the end.[LNB]"They played good football, attacked and wanted to score.[LNB]"No, I don't think we were thinking about the Arsenal game on Sunday in the second half."[LNB]Anelka's nonchalant 28th-minute penalty may not have been to Ancelotti's liking but the Italian refused to criticise his striker in public.[LNB]"I don't tell Anelka how to shoot a penalty. If he scores I'm happy," he said.[LNB]"I've never seen Anelka scared or nervous. He's always quiet and calm. He's a good character."[LNB]Ancelotti was pleased with the performance of teenager Gael Kakuta, who started in a three-pronged attack alongside Anelka and the magnificent Florent Malouda.[LNB]"Kakuta was good, he was involved and played for the team," he said.[LNB]"That is the most important thing for a young player. Sometimes a young player wants to show his ability and quality.[LNB]"But instead he wanted to play for the team and so I have to congratulate him for his performance."[LNB]Marseille coach Didier Deschamps admitted his side had been overwhelmed at Stamford Bridge in their second defeat of Group F.[LNB]"We were almost strangled by Chelsea's superiority. We were dominated both technically and physically," said Deschamps.[LNB]"We found the first half tough and lacked aggression at times. There was a gap between the teams tonight.[LNB]"We tried harder in the second half but they could have added a third. There was a huge difference between the sides."
