Anelka 69

Chelsea clinched top spot in Champions League Group D, thanks to Nicolas Anelka’s header against a Porto side who had already qualified themselves.

With a number of high-profile clubs looking set to finish runners-up in their group, top spot isn’t the advantage it has been in previous years.

Hence this game was a low-key, if mildly entertaining, affair in a one-third empty Estadio do Dragao in Oporto.

It was Chelsea’s second 1-0 win over the Portuguese champions, Anelka also grabbing the winner at Stamford Bridge back in September.

The French international was the best player on the pitch and thoroughly deserved his goal, heading in Florent Malouda’s cross as the game entered its final quarter.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men dominated early possession and Anelka came closest when his powerful drive from the edge of the box nearly knocked Porto keeper Antonio Beto off his feet.

But the ever-dangerous Fernando Belluschi came closer still for the hosts.

His first long-range effort was spilled by Chelsea keeper Petr Cech, who recovered to make a fine block from Radamel Falcao’s follow-up.

And Bellsuchi then cannoned a 20-yard right-foot drive off the crossbar with Cech beaten all ends up.

Former Porto star Deco was narrowly wide with a right-foot drive shortly after the break, as the game began to drift.

But Chelsea finally grabbed the decisive goal after a flowing pitch-length move involving Russian summer-signing Yuri Zhirkov and Malouda, the latter’s cross allowing Anelka to stoop to conquer with his close-range header.

Porto created a couple of half-chances in their search for a late leveller,

Cristian Rodriguez’s 78^th minute header from a Hulk cross flew over the crossbar, with the Porto midfielder complaining about a shirt tug by Chelsea captain John Terry.

And four minutes later, Hulk himself eluded a couple of half-hearted challenges before firing his shot straight at a well-placed Cech.