Source: PA
Blues ease to Spartak success
Chelsea returned to the Luzhniki Stadium in style to defeat Spartak Moscow 2-0 and go three points clear at the top of Group F.
Yuri Zhirkov put the Blues in front in the 23rd minute with a 25-yard volley, his first goal for the club, while Nicolas Anelka notched his 50th for Chelsea two minutes before the break.
Chelsea, who lost the 2008 Champions League final to Manchester United in the same stadium, held firm under a second-half onslaught from Spartak to maintain their unbeaten record in Europe this season.
The Blues went in front in the 23rd minute when John Obi Mikel's long ball was knocked into the path of Zhirkov, who smashed a 25-yard volley into the roof of the net.
Anelka squandered a great chance in the 37th minute when he latched onto a poor pass and ran clear of the Spartak defence. But the France international, usually so clinical in one-on-one situations with the goalkeeper, lost control of the ball and Andrei Dykan was able to prevent Chelsea adding to their lead.
However, Anelka made up for his mistakes with a second goal for the Blues in the 43rd minute. The Chelsea striker collected the ball after a driving run by Michael Essien and then turned the Spartak defence inside out before placing a low shot under Dykan to score his 50th goal for the club. Essien shot wide from 10 yards when a goal seemed certain in the 72nd minute, but Chelsea comfortably held on.
