Gritty Chelsea prove title credentials

THAT is the end of this section of questioning then, as Chelsea’s late show at the Britannia Stadium surely proves they have enough character in this squad to battle through their Fifa transfer ban and sustain a challenge for the championship this term.

Any doubts over how Carlo Ancelotti and his men would react in their first match since discovering they will not be allowed to enter the transfer market until 2011 were swept under the carpet as Florent Malouda produced a driven left footed shot beyond Steve Simonsen four minutes into injury time.

The only question left to answer this term is whether they will cope when they lose the likes of Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel to the African Cup of Nations in January. That is not a worry for this moment though, as Chelsea are too busy reflecting on a 100% start to the season. The record of five wins from five is better than Jose Mourinho managed in either of his title winning season at Stamford Bridge in 2005 or 2006.