Anelka lifts the Blues.

CHELSEA stuttered to an unconvincing victory over Apoel Nicosia thanks to a first-half goal from Nicolas Anelka.

The Blues, hammered 3-1 by Wigan in the Barclays Premier League last Saturday, produced another lacklustre performance against the Cypriot champions.

But victory keeps Chelsea top of Group D with a 100% record, even if the performance does not bode well for their home clash with title rivals Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Boss Carlo Ancelotti certainly did not get the reaction he wanted following their defeat at Wigan and better opponents would have given the English side much more to deal with.

RESULTS UEFA Champions League, Group A Bayern Munich ... (0) 0 Juventus........... (0) 0 Att: 69,900 Bordeaux .......... (0) 1 Maccabi Haifa .... (0) 0 Ciani 83 Att: 17,500 Group B Man Utd ........... (0) 2 Wolfsburg ......... (0) 1 Giggs 59 Dzeko 56 Carrick 78 Att: 74,037 CSKA Moscow .... (1) 2 Besiktas ........... (0) 1 Dzagoev 7 Dag 90 Krasic 61 Att: 13,500 Group C AC Milan .......... (0)0 FC Zurich.......... (1)1 Tihinen 10 Att: 45,981 Real Madrid ...... (0)3 Marseille.......... (0)0 Ronaldo 58 64 Kaka 61 pen Att: 73,000 Group D Apoel Nicosia .... (0)0 Chelsea............ (1)1 Anelka 18 Att: 20,000 FC Porto........... (0)2 Atletico Madrid... (0)0 Falcao 75 Rolando 82 Att: 45,391 The Coca-Cola Football League, Championship Newcastle ......... (0) 1 QPR ................ (1) 1 Harewood 70 Watson 7 Att: 38,923 Nottm Forest...... (0)2 Scunthorpe........ (0)0 Chambers 71 Blackstock 76 Att: 18,332 Coca-Cola Football League, Two Chesterfield....... (1)3 Grimsby ........... (0)2 Niven 30 Proudlock 70 Lester 54 Sweeney 87 McDermott 69 Att: 3,329