FC Copenhagen 0 Chelsea 2: Anelka on target to put Torres in shade

Anelka ensured the faltering Blues stayed in the hunt for silverware this season and eased the pressure on manager Carlo Ancelotti with a deadly double at FC Copenhagen, extending his remarkable scoring record in the competition to seven goals in six games.

Ancelotti defiantly declared before the match, “Chelsea has not died”, and Copenhagen proved the perfect opponents for a side who arrived in freezing Denmark with their season in danger of unravelling completely, the hosts clearly showing the effects of having not played a competitive match for two and a half months.

So while the victory was much-needed, the Blues will need to repeat it against Manchester United in the Barclays Premier League next week to demonstrate they are back on track.

They will also be concerned at another night to forget in front of goal for the recalled Fernando Torres, whose overall performance improved but who fluffed his chances against a side who were tailor-made for him to break his duck.

Chelsea were gifted a 17th-minute lead, former Stamford Bridge winger Jesper Gronkjaer of all people misplacing a pass straight to Anelka, who bore down on goal and calmly slotted past Wiland.

The second goal came when a delightful first-time through ball from Lampard released Anelka, who drilled low across Wiland into the far corner.

Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs head a list of seven senior absentees from Manchester United’s Champions League squad to face Marseille tonight.