Anelka 43

A wonder strike by Yuri Zhirkov and a cool finish by Nicolas Anelka gave Chelsea victory in the Luzhniki stadium where they lost the 2008 Champions League Final.

The win puts them in control of Group F and was merited over the 90 minutes, although Spartak Moscow were lively opposition early in each half and Chelsea keeper Petr Cech made some important saves.

Dmitri Kambarov fired over a good chance on 10 minutes after a driving run by Sergei Parshivlyuk. And three minutes later Welliton forced a smart save from Cech with a quick turn and left-foot shot.

But Chelsea were ahead on 23 minutes, former CSKA Moscow man Zhirkov opening his Chelsea account with a spectacular 25-yard left-foot volley on the run.

Nicolas Anelka’s touch let him down when clean through on 38 minutes. But he took his next opportunity, two minutes before half-time, after being set up by Michael Essien’s fine run and sliderule pass.

Irish international Aiden McGeady’s deflected shot two minutes after half-time brought the best out of Cech, who also did well to parry two well-struck efforts by Ibson midway through the half.

But Essien should have made it 3-0 in the 73^rd minute, but shot wide.