Chelsea banish away blues

Uefa Champions League: Jose Mourinho's sums may have let him down on the eve of this fixture but his team did nothing of the sort here last night.

Two early goals gave Chelsea a comfortable victory and allowed them to play in cruise control for much of the match. With Real Betis failing to win at Anfield, this took the Premiership champions through, meaning their manager was spot on in suggesting three more points would see them into the knock-out rounds.

Far tougher tests will lie ahead if Chelsea are to achieve their ambitions of winning this tournament but they are entitled to feel satisfied with a first away win in this tournament for over a year. They were stronger, slicker and of higher quality than Anderlecht, who barely looked like scoring after they wasted a chance with the game goalless.

Hernan Crespo underlined his growing value with his second goal in as many games and some nice touches as Chelsea, afforded far more space than usual, dictated the pace and rhythm. They were content to play within themselves as the game wore on and their failure to make many openings barely mattered as they responded to the defeat at Real Betis. A third goal almost came when Frank Lampard hit a post.

Few had expected anything other than a Chelsea win, given Anderlecht came into the match on the back of 11 straight defeats in the Champions League and without a goal in the tournament this season. Liverpool and Real Betis both left here with 1-0 wins and Mourinho had known anything other than three points would leave serious questions.

The Chelsea manager had called for a positive attitude and a strong, tone-setting start. He got exactly what he was looking for. After surviving an early scare, Chelsea went straight down the pitch to take an eighth-minute lead and were 2-0 ahead inside quarter of an hour.

The identity of the goalscorers, both of whom were set up by Frank Lampard, vindicated Mourinho's selection. The former Porto coach had stuck with Crespo, even though Didier Drogba was available after suspension, and the Argentina international coolly struck Chelsea's opener. It was his first start in this competition under Mourinho, who was perhaps reiterating a message that the striker has a future at the club despite suggestions to the contrary.

Crespo scored on the volley from a perfect cross by Lampard after the midfielder had robbed Anthony Vanden Borre, accelerated down the left and centred with his supposedly weaker foot. The advantage was then doubled by Ricardo Carvalho, chosen at centre-back instead of William Gallas, with the Frenchman used at full-back. Carvalho does not score many but hit a powerful shot across goal after a Lampard corner had been flicked on.

Chelsea were in total control, holding possession comfortably and never seriously under threat, but they might have faced a far tougher night had Anderlecht accepted an opening about 40 seconds before Crespo scored.

Mourinho's players were not alert to a quick throw that sent Christian Wilhelmsson down the right and the Swede's cross should have been converted by Mbo Mpenza. Instead, Mpenza's shot from close range spun wide.

The Belgian champions were made to pay and there looked to be a clear gulf in class. Anderlecht did not force Petr Cech into a first-half save and were jeered off by their supporters at the interval. Chelsea were not creating regular chances but their passing was slick. Lampard continued his good form with another performance in which he rarely gave away possession and got forward to good effect, Eidur Gudjohnsen was using the ball well in the stadium where he used to watch his father, and Joe Cole was lively and his interplay were eye-catching.

There had been no need for Chelsea to search relentlessly for a third goal and their play was measured. A slick counter-attack involving Crespo and Damien Duff sent Carvalho galloping downfield and although he could not find the needed cross, it hardly seemed to matter.

Guardian Service

ANDERLECHT: Proto, Deschacht, Tihinen, Kompany, Zewlakow, Goor, Vanderhaeghe (Iachtchouck 46), Vanden Borre, Akin (Ehret 74), Mpenza (Zetterberg 60), Wilhelmsson. Subs Not Used: Zitka, Juhasz, Deman, Mitu. Booked: Vanden Borre.

CHELSEA: Cech, Del Horno, Terry, Ricardo Carvalho, Gallas, Duff, Essien, Lampard, Joe Cole (Diarra 63), Crespo (Carlton Cole 86), Gudjohnsen (Geremi 77). Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Drogba, Paulo Ferreira, Huth. Booked: Del Horno, Terry. Goals: Crespo 8, Ricardo Carvalho 15.

Referee: S Farina (Italy).