Spartak Moscow 0 Chelsea 2

CHELSEA coach Carlo Ancelotti paid tribute to his goalscorers as the Blues banished the nightmare of their Champions League final defeat in the Luzhniki Stadium two years ago.

First-half goals from Russia international Yury Zhirkov, his first for the club, and Nicolas Anelka, his 50th, gave Chelsea an easy win.

The victory puts them three points clear at the top of Group F and a win over the Moscow side at Stamford Bridge in a fortnight will guarantee the Blues a firstplace finish.

“I think that we played a good game,’’ said Ancelotti.

“We established good control in that first half, scoring two goals, and then controlled it defensively in the second.

We played well at the back, above all Petr Cech, who made some fantastic saves.’’ Chelsea lost on penalties to Manchester United in the 2008 final, but Ancelotti said: “I don’t think the players were thinking about the last defeat in this stadium. They were focused on this game.

“It was an important moment for Yury, coming back to play for Chelsea in Russia. He scored a fantastic goal and will be very happy.

“He played very well and doesn’t have a problem playing either left-back or on the left of midfield.

“He scored a very important goal and opened up the game. After that, it was easier for us to win the match.

“Anelka showed his qualities and ability to play in front. He’s comfortable playing up there when there’s no Didier Drogba.”