Champions League: Chelsea 2 Zilina 1

Chelsea sealed top spot in Champions League Group F thanks to a late winner by Florent Malouda against Slovakian side Zilina.

After being forced earlier in the week to deny reports that he was on the verge of resigning, Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti’s mood would not have improved as his young side deservedly fell behind at Stamford Bridge to a first-half goal by the outstanding Babatounde Bello.

But the hosts scored twice in the second half as Daniel Sturridge and Malouda ensured a 2-1 victory and extended their side’s perfect record in this season’s competition.

Chelsea went into the game knowing that a single point would secure their passage to the last 16 of the Champions League as group winners after Marseille beat Spartak Moscow 3-0 in Tuesday’s early kick-off.

And that was not expected to be tricky to achieve against the Slovakian champions, despite Ancelotti’s decision to rest a number of first-team players.

Yet it soon appeared that his decision may backfire. Zilina displayed more attacking intent than their hosts, and were rewarded through Bello’s 19th-minute strike.

It was a move that Chelsea would have been proud of themselves as Bello exchanged passes with Robert Jez before poking the ball beyond Ross Turnbull and into the goal.

Daniel Sturridge twice went close as Chelsea looked for a response, while Malouda wasted a fine opportunity when Didier Drogba’s cross found him unmarked six yards from goal.

Yet it took just five minutes of the second half for Chelsea to get back on level terms. It was a strange goal as Salomon Kalou’s cross was missed by everyone bar Sturridge, who took advantage of goalkeeper Martin Dubravka’s hesitancy to slot home from a tight angle.

Chelsea then began to ramp up the pressure as Ramires volleyed inches wide before Drogba’s dipping free-kick hit the post.

Yet Zilina could not hang on and they were left devastated with just four minutes left as Drogba headed Nicolas Anelka’s cross back across goal for Malouda to tap in at the far post.