Hat-trick hero Anelka given Roma mission

Nicolas Anelka has been guaranteed a starting berth in Chelsea's Champions League encounter with Roma after his hat-trick helped sink Sunderland at Stamford Bridge.

The treble was Anelka's first for the Blues since signing from Bolton back in January and the French striker will feel it has come at the perfect time as Ivory Coast international Didier Drogba is now back to fitness following knee and ankle problems.

Drogba was given a 25-minute run-out during the 5-0 rout of the Black Cats but it was Anelka, together with fellow goalscorers Alex and Frank Lampard, who stole the show and secured his place for Tuesday's trip to the Italian capital.

“Anelka has the number nine shirt here and tries his best always,” Blues manager Luiz Felipe Scolari explained. “He has more chances now in this side.

“Drogba is back but my decision against Roma is easy. Anelka is in better condition so he plays.”

One man who will not be involved in the European encounter is likely to be Ashley Cole. The England international full-back limped off during the first half on Saturday with a calf problem. He was set for scans on Sunday at Chelsea's Surrey training base.

“It's difficult to see him playing against Roma,” admitted Scolari. “The game is only two days away now, but we will see.

“I'm pleased with this performance. Not just because we scored five goals, but because we played good football. We had about eight good chances today and I was pleased to see us take plenty of them.”

Chelsea proved far too potent for Roy Keane's Sunderland outfit as the Blues continue to push Liverpool for top spot.

Brazilian Alex opened the scoring from close range on 27 minutes, converting after goalkeeper Marton Fulop had parried a Joe Cole shot.

Anelka poked into an empty net three minutes later, following a cross from Lampard. And the points were virtually secured in injury-time as Anelka scored his second from inside the area.

Lampard added the 100th goal of his league career after the break, before Anelka completed his treble on 52 minutes.

“That is a fantastic record for a midfield player,” said Scolari as he praised Lampard. “We need to think about who is the best in the world in that position, and maybe it is him.”

Sunderland manager Keane was sent off at half-time and will now wait to discover whether he faces any further disciplinary action.

He made his feelings known towards referee Martin Atkinson in light of a challenge by Joe Cole on Pascal Chimbonda, which he felt was a foul.

“I'm not sure if I was officially sent off, the referee just told me not to go back to the dug-out,” Keane said. “I think I was most disappointed with their third goal because we felt there was a foul on Pascal.

“I'm not saying we would have come back to win the game but it was a hammer blow. I've played for one of the big teams and I know that when we come up against the big boys we just want a bit of fairness.

“Chelsea were outstanding though – and there is no shame in this.”

The Sunderland manager is now backing Chelsea to go on to win the league title.

“It's going to be close but Manchester United have won it for the past two years and it is difficult to win three in a row,” he said.

“Not many teams have done it and it makes youn wonder if United will have that edge that they have in the last few years, when they have been brilliant.

“I'm not saying Chelsea will walk it, but when you lose it a couple of times you get the eye of the tiger back. They have a new manager too, and that can help develop a championship winning team.”