Carlo Ancelotti hailed Chelsea after beating Spartak Moscow 2-0 on their return to the Luzhniki Stadium.
Blues boss delighted with professional effort on Moscow return
Carlo Ancelotti hailed his Chelsea side after they claimed a 2-0 win over Spartak Moscow on their return to the Luzhniki Stadium.
The Blues lost the 2008 UEFA Champions League final at the same venue, going down on penalties by Premier League rivals Manchester United after crucial misses in the shoot-out by captain John Terry and Nicolas Anelka.
But Ancelotti's men cast those memories aside to maintain their 100% record in Group F.
The Blues were in control at the break after goals by Russia international Yuri Zhirkov, his first for the club, and Anelka, his 50th.
Although Spartak posed plenty of problems during the second half, the visitors stood firm to remain on course for the Champions League knockout stage.
"I don't think the players were thinking about the last defeat in this stadium," Ancelotti said. "They were focused on this game.
Zhirkov return
"It was an important moment for Yuri, coming back to play for Chelsea in Russia. He scored a fantastic goal and will be very happy.
"He was very good. 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. He's a fantastic player and can play in all the positions across that front line."
Petr Cech was superb in the Chelsea goal while Terry and Branislav Ivanovic were in impressive form at the heart of the Blues defence.
The victory puts them three points clear at the top of the group and a win over Spartak at Stamford Bridge in a fortnight will guarantee the Blues a first-place finish.
"I think that we played a good game," said Ancelotti. "It was not an easy game because Spartak, above all in the second half, played well.
"But we established good control in that first half, scoring two goals, and then controlled it defensively in the second.
Cech fantastic
"We played well at the back, above all Petr Cech, who made some fantastic saves.
"I think Spartak are a very good team with different skills," added the Chelsea boss. "They used all the pitch to attack in the second half, with good players at the back pushing the play forward. They have the same possibility to reach the last 16.
"We are not in the last 16 yet. We have to play three games and must do our best in those matches.
"We have to stay focused about the next game. We want to finish in first place. That's our aim.
"We will have the possibility to do this, but it doesn't mean we have to rest the other players. The Champions League is an important competition every time you play. For all the games."
Spartak vow
Spartak boss Valery Karpin bemoaned his team's poor first-half performance but has vowed not to leave empty-handed from the return clash.
"We had two different halves," he said. "I spoke to the players in the dressing room and realised they were a bit scared of Chelsea in the first half.
"We conceded two goals and only had the fighting spirit after half-time. It was not enough.
"We will focus on the re-match in London and produce good football there and get some points."
