Anelka fires Blues past Villa

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First-half goals from Joe Cole and Nicolas Anelka kept Scolari's men at the top of the Barclays Premier League, and it could have been more but for the reflexes of Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel.

The hosts, already without the services of Didier Drogba, Deco, Ricardo Carvalho and Michael Essien, were missing Alex from their starting line-up and then saw midfielder Cole limp off.

Anelka, struggling with muscle spasms before the match, was also taken off at the break meaning Franco di Santo was Scolari's frontline striker for 45 minutes.

It mattered little. Scolari had never met Martin O'Neill before and had spoken of his admiration for the teams the Villa boss has produced - but this crop simply had no chance as Chelsea gave them a first-half masterclass in passing and movement.

Frank Lampard set up the opener three minutes later after Curtis Davies' clearance fell to Florent Malouda. Malouda slipped the ball inside to Lampard, who in turn helped it on to midfielder Cole.

Cole took one touch and lashed his finish past Friedel and inside the near post, his third of the season.

Anelka could have doubled the lead when he cracked a drive from 30 yards but his effort smashed against the crossbar - starting the onslaught on Friedel's goal.

The American goalkeeper parried a Lampard free-kick and also denied Malouda with another skidding drive.

He also made a double save in the 43rd minute, but could not prevent Anelka tapping in the rebound. Ashley Cole had crossed from the left, Michael Ballack's drive and Anelka's follow up were saved - but the Frenchman made sure with his next effort.