Source: Eurosport
Anelka strike enough for Blues
Chelsea stuttered to an unconvincing 1-0 victory over Apoel Nicosia thanks to a first-half goal from Nicolas Anelka.[LNB]The Blues, hammered 3-1 by Wigan in the Barclays Premier League last Saturday, produced another lacklustre performance against the Cypriot champions. But victory keeps Chelsea top of Group D with a 100% record, even if the performance does not bode well for their home clash with title rivals Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.[LNB]Frank Lampard should have done better when a mistake by Chrysostomos Michail allowed Chelsea to create an opening on the edge of the penalty area in the 13th minute. But the England midfielder's effort ran tamely wide from 20 yards.[LNB]Chelsea went ahead in the 18th minute though when Juliano Belletti made a fine run down the right flank before pulling the ball back superbly for Anelka to send a curling drive into the roof of the net. Anelka's fourth goal of the season was his second in this Champions League campaign, the France international having scored the only goal of their opening round victory over Porto at Stamford Bridge.[LNB]A sublime reverse pass in the 41st minute by Lampard almost conjured a second for the Blues. However, Ashley Cole's cross was cleared by the home defence before Anelka had chance to pounce.[LNB]Chelsea had Petr Cech to thank for preserving their lead in the 64th minute when he saved superbly from Savvas Poursaitides. The Apoel midfielder surged into the area after Florent Malouda's attempted headed clearance had fallen into his path and Cech had to save with his feet. Constantinos Charalambides almost shocked Chelsea with an equaliser in the 85th minute but he headed wide at the far post.
