Clinical Chelsea resume normal service

CHELSEA can go into Sunday’s crucial Premier League game against Arsenal confident their first wobble of the season is over after easing to a routine 2-0 victory over Marseille in the Champions League last night to stay top of Group F and banish the memory of last weekend’s defeat at Manchester City.

Chelsea’s lacklustre performance in a 1-0 reverse at Eastlands was their first real setback and the first time in the whole of 2010 they had failed to score in a match in any competition. But even without the suspended Didier Drogba and the injured Frank Lampard they were too good for Marseille at Stamford Bridge, indicating that disappointing trip to Manchester was nothing more than a minor blip in an otherwise impressive start to the campaign.

That is good news for manager Carlo Ancelotti because had his team slumped to a third defeat in a row (they also lost to Newcastle in the Carling Cup last week) then Sunday’s London derby would have looked daunting.

So first half goal goals here from John Terry and Nicolas Anelka could have implications at home as well as in Europe.

“It was an important result after those two defeats, which we can now forget about,’’ said Ancelotti. “Now we have six points, we are top of the group and have a good chance of finishing first.

“But it was not an easy game because I think Marseille played well and created a lot of chances. The second half was difficult, we played well defensively but could do better in possession but we had a lot of chances still – we hit the post twice.

“It was a good result also for confidence ahead of Sunday’s game, but this is a different story; we are in good position, top of the table in this group and in the Premier League. Everything is okay.’’

That is reassuring for Chelsea fans who, having failed to see their team score at Eastlands, didn’t have long to wait this time; captain Terry making a diagonal run and poking home at the near post following a seventh-minute Gael Kakuta corner.

It was just the kind of start Ancelotti had called for and although Marseille had vociferous support from a noisy away following, Chelsea always looked comfortable, if not always sparkling, from that point on. Marseille supporters booed every touch made by Malouda, Anelka and Kakuta but it was Chelsea’s Frenchmen who had the biggest impact on the game, attacking the visitors’ frail defence at every opportunity in the first half when the match was effectively won.

Malouda had already produced one or two muscular runs, and shot narrowly over the bar, when Anelka ignored boos from the terraces to double Chelsea’s lead in the 28th minute.

This one came from the penalty spot after Stephane Mbia foolishly handled a Michael Essien cross and Anelka showed admirable calm to dink the ball cheekily home from 12 yards.

The major concerns for Ancelotti, perhaps, will be that his team rather switched off in the second half, just as they did in a recent home victory over Blackpool.

There were times, too, when Chelsea were sloppy in possession after the break, faults which they will probably not be able to repeat against Arsenal on Sunday.

But they defended well enough and were content to attack on the break, Alex almost extending their lead with a ferocious 30m free-kick that cannoned back off goalkeeper Steve Mandanda’s left-hand post.

Florent Malouda’s shot, following a well-worked move, suffered the same fate but by that stage Chelsea had regained control and could start thinking ahead to more difficult tests to come – not least Arsenal at the Bridge on Sunday. Until they win that match the doubters will not quite be silenced.

Subs for Chelsea: Ramires for Kakuta 61, Sturridge for Zhirkov 72, McEachran for Mikel 88.

Subs for Marseille: Ayew for Cheyrou 59, Valbuena for Gignac 59.