Chelsea Football Club

• Nickname:Blues
• Founded:1905
• Manager:Rafael Benitez

• Ground:Stamford Bridge
• Capacity:42440

Marseille no match for Chelsea

28 Sep 2010 - 21:55:36

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Chelsea didn't hit any great heights but still eased to a 2-0 Champions League Group F victory over Marseille.

First-half goals from John Terry and Nicolas Anelka via the penalty spot secured a second straight European victory for the Blues.

Carlo Ancelotti's side won at a canter despite failing to get out of second gear and could have routed the disappointing French champions had they been in the mood.

Ancelotti was without several key players with former Marseille striker Didier Drogba banned and Frank Lampard, Salomon Kalou and Yossi Benayoun all injured.

However, it mattered little as they never looked backed after finding themselves in front in fortuitous circumstances with just seven minutes on the clock.

Gael Kakuta scuffed a corner low towards Terry and he flicked it into the back of the net after catching Benoit Cheyrou napping on the near post.

Anelka brought a smart save out of Steve Mandanda in the 15th minute before Chelsea doubled their advantage soon after.

Stephane M'Bia's flailing arm made contact with Kakuta's cross and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Anelka took one step and nonchalantly side-foot his spot-kick low to the keeper's left-hand side to make it 2-0.

Marseille coach Didier Deschamps made a couple of changes in the early stages of the second half and his side suddenly stepped up a gear.

However, for all their possession and a rather lacklustre start to the half by Chelsea, they never serious tested Petr Cech.

In fact Chelsea came closest to scoring again when Alex thundered a 35-yard free-kick off the post in the 67th minute and Michael Essien also rattled the woodwork with a shot from the edge of the box with 15 minutes remaining.

Substitute Daniel Sturridge missed a gilt-edged chance in the closing minutes, before Essien brushed the upright with a stoppage-time shot on a straightforward night for Chelsea.