Nico spares Blues blushes

Last updated : 30 September 2009 By Paul Lagan

Nicolas Anelka won the game against Apoel tonight as he did against Porto two weeks' ago.

But just like that opening match, Chelsea were unconvincing against the Cypriot champions.

An 18-minute strike by the Frenchman, a sweet curling right-footer was the only goal of the night and enough to put the Blues top of their Champions League group.

It's six points out of six.

But like Wigan on Saturday, this was a poor performance, and the side looked quite open to the counter-attack.

Next up for the Blues is Liverpool on Sunday.

The Merseyside club are a classic counter-attacking side and it's this aspect of the opposition that will worry Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti the most.

He and his coaching staff will have to work out how to prevent the same result occurring again as Liverpool produced a shock 0-1 win at the Bridge last season.

It sowed the seeds which caused much of the dissatisfaction among players about Luis Felipe Scolari's tactics.

It ultimately led to his uncharitable sacking.

Will the same fate befall Ancelotti?

The similarities between the two men and results are alarming.