Source: PA
Anelka explains gesture as Blues cruise
Nicolas Anelka fired two first-half goals to put Chelsea on the way to a comfortable 4-1 victory over MSK Zilina and then revealed the meaning of his 'handcuff' goal celebration.
Anelka set up Michael Essien's 13th-minute opener before scoring twice himself after 24 and 28 minutes as Chelsea cruised to victory in Slovakia. Daniel Sturridge scored his first Champions League goal three minutes after the interval before Zilina's Tomas Oravec netted a consolation for the home side.
Anelka, banned by the French Football Federation for 18 games because of his part in the World Cup mutiny, was hailed as the "key" to Chelsea's victory by coach Carlo Ancelotti.
The 31-year-old has since insisted he will never play for his country again but admitted his gesture was aimed at the French authorities and he knows other France players will understand.
"It was just something for the French Federation about what happened at the World Cup," said Anelka. "What happened in summer is in the past, now I'm 100% focused for Chelsea."
When asked if he would ever consider playing for France again, he replied: "No, never. It was just a joke about what happened. I'm not angry."
