Source: PA
Anelka in good Nic - Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti claimed Nicolas Anelka is in the best form of his career after Chelsea ensured qualification for the knockout stage of the Champions League with a 4-1 win over Spartak Moscow at Stamford Bridge.
Goals from Anelka, his fifth in Europe this season, a brace from Branislav Ivanovic and a penalty from Didier Drogba crushed the Russians, who scored a late consolation goal through Nikita Bazhenov.
Anelka`s opener four minutes into the second half was his 10th of the season in all competitions and Blues boss Ancelotti was quick to hail the former France international by proclaiming the 31-year-old was in the best form of his long career.
"All the players played a good game," said Ancelotti. "We had more difficulty in the first half, but we played better in the second.
"Anelka was the key to opening up the game. He scored a fantastic goal - the most important this evening.
"I think he is happy at this moment. He's the same compared to last year and the same Anelka I found when I came here, nothing has changed. He has experience. He maintains very good skill, ability, and speed. Overall he is in the best moment of his career."
