Chelsea have tested the old adage in recent weeks that it is a sign of a good side if they keep winning without playing well.

Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti was forced to admit that his team were “not 100%” in overcoming an expansive Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge last Saturday, a win which briefly took Chelsea five points clear at the top of the EPL.

The Italian claimed that the lengthy trip to Moscow the previous midweek for the Blues 2-0 Uefa Champions League victory over Spartak had its effect on his side’s display, saying: “We travelled from Russia and we were not 100%, we didn’t play as well as we wanted.”

 

But while acknowledging that “the important thing is the result,” Ancelotti also offered a generous assessment of the opposition, adding that Wolves “played very well and it was more difficult than we expected.”

Goals from in-form Florent Malouda midway through the first half and substitute Salomon Kalou nine minutes from time clinched victory against Wolves.

And Chelsea prevailed by the same score on a triumphant return to the Luzhnki Stadium in Moscow, the scene of their penalty shoot-out defeat to EPL rivals Manchester United in the 2008 Champions League final.

Russian international full-back Yuri Zhirkov gave Chelsea the lead on 24 minutes with a stunning left-foot volley, a goal made sweeter by the fact that Zhirkov used to play for Spartak’s city rivals, CSKA.

Nicolas Anelka added a second goal shortly before the break. And this proved vital as Spartak put Chelsea under considerable pressure during the second 45 minutes, with keeper Petr Cech making three valuable saves.

Ancelotti expressed his determination to top Qualifying Group F, which they may confirm with victory over Spartak in the Stamford Bridge return next Wednesday, November 3^rd.

He said: “We have to stay focused about the next game. We want to finish in first place.”

Chelsea’s squad for that match looks certain to contain a “new old” face as better news has at long last arrived about increasingly long-term injury absentee Frank Lampard.

The England international midfielder returned to training this week after the hernia operation which has kept him on the sidelines since August 28^th.

And reports have suggested that he will travel with the Blues squad to Saturday afternoon’s EPL fixture against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.

Ancelotti said at a press conference last weekend that while Lampard would not be fit to “start” against Rovers, he would be able to play “the week after.”

This good injury news came on the back of last weekend’s successful return from a 13-month injury absence of Portuguese international right-back Jose Bosingwa.

Meanwhile, Lampard’s Chelsea midfield colleague, Brazilian international summer signing Ramires, has spoken of the extra pressures of EPL football.

The £18.2 million pound man said: “At Cruzeiro and Benfica there was also huge pressure to get good results. The difference at Chelsea is that you’re singled out more when you play badly and there’s more hype when you play well.”