Anelka starts up front for Blues

Didier Drogba’s UEFA ban meant Nicolas Anelka returned to the starting XI in the Champions League clash against Porto at Stamford Bridge.

Drogba was serving the first of his three-match suspension for his reaction to the defeat against Barcelona in last year’s semi-final, while Jose Bosingwa received two games.

From the team that defeated Stoke at the weekend, Michael Essien replaced John Mikel Obi and Ricardo Carvalho came in for Bosingwa.

England midfielder Joe Cole was on the bench against the Portuguese giants after recovering from the knee injury that kept him out since January.

Chelsea: Cech, Ashley Cole, Terry, Carvalho, Ivanovic, Malouda, Lampard, Essien, Ballack, Kalou, Anelka.

Subs: Turnbull, Joe Cole, Sturridge, Belletti, Hutchinson, Bruma, Borini.

FC Porto: Helton, Pereira, Bruno Alves, Rolando, Fucile, Raul Meireles, Fernando, Guarin, Rodriguez, Hulk, Gonzalez.

Subs: Nuno, Belluschi, Falcao, Maicon, Varela, Costa, Sapunaru.

Referee: Konrad Plautz (Austria)