Champions League Group F wrap: Chelsea seal first, Marseille progress

Chelsea sealed top spot in Champions League Group F with a come from behind win over Zilina, while Marseille also progressed to the last 16.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men only avoided an embarrassing draw against the Slovakian champions thanks to a late goal by Florent Malouda which handed them a 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge.

A young Chelsea side produced a woeful first-half display and deservedly fell behind to a goal by Babatounde Bello.

But the hosts scored early and late in the second-half as Daniel Sturridge and Malouda ensured Chelsea extended their perfect record in this season’s competition.

Zilina were full of more attacking intent than their hosts, and were rewarded after 19 minutes as Bello exchanged passes with Robert Jez before poking the ball beyond Ross Turnbull and into the goal.

But 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 Daniel Sturridge, who took advantage of goalkeeper Martin Dubravka’s hesitancy to slot home from a tight angle.

Zilina were left devastated with just four minutes left as Didier Drogba headed Nicolas Anelka’s cross back across goal for Malouda to tap in at the far post.

Marseille will join Chelsea in the last 16 after the French champions beat Spartak Moscow 3-0 in Russia.

Didier Deschamps’ side are now guaranteed to finish in the top two in Group F after their win in Moscow gave them a three point buffer over the Russian side.

Although Spartak could finish level on points after the final group match, Marseille’s superior head to head record means they are through to the knockout phase regardless of what happens in a fortnight.

Mathieu Valbuena opened the scoring on 18 minutes when he curled his shot past Andriy Dykan after receiving Gabriel Heinze’s cross at the back post.

French ace Loic Remy extended the lead just after half-time when he beat Dykan after running onto his own miscued shot.

Brazilian striker Brandao completed the rout when he pounced on a careless pass and beat Dykan with a left footed shot from the edge of the area.