More celebrations for Chelsea

More celebrations for Chelsea

Carlo Ancelotti makes his Champions League debut as Chelsea manager on Tuesday proud of the way the players are responding to his methods.

The former AC Milan coach may have been around Stamford Bridge only a matter of months but the team already mirror the man - passionate and committed.

That was clearly evident at the Britannia Stadium when Florent Malouda scored a stoppage-time winner against Stoke after a spell of sustained pressure.

The goal stretched Chelsea's 100% record to five games, cemented their place at the top of the table and gave them a timely boost ahead of the home match with Porto.

Ancelotti said: "We played well and with big hearts. It is always important to believe you can go on and get the victory.

"I do not think were are lucky - we play until the last minute - and we did a very good job against Stoke. We want to continue like this as our fans are very happy."

Told he had a better starting record than former manager Jose Mourinho, Ancelotti responded: "It is not a battle against Mourinho - it was a battle against Stoke."

While Stoke manager Tony Pulis was dejected at the manner of the defeat he took time out to praise Chelsea.

He said: "They have some great players and they keep going. We could not get out in the second half - they are a good side.

"That's twice we have lost to them in injury, so obviously we are very disappointed at the outcome.

"We haven't got the quality Chelsea have. I hold my hands up to that. But our attitude and commitment and everyone's willingness to work will take us a long way."

Ancelotti refuses to be distracted by the transfer embargo imposed by FIFA with the governing body now stating that Chelsea will not be allowed to recall players on a season-long loan deal.

He said: "We are appealing to FIFA, so we have to wait. All I am thinking about is the next game against Porto, that's all."

Stoke made the breakthrough in the 32nd minute after Glenn Whelan swung in a cross from the right and Abdoulaye Faye sent a towering header beyond Petr Cech.

However Didier Drogba pulled Chelsea level in first half stoppage time with his fourth goal of the season after getting away from Faye following a superb through ball from Frank Lampard.

It was all hands to the pump for Stoke in the second half and they seemed to have secured a point only for Malouda to have the last word.

Ancelotti thought Chelsea deserved it on the balance of play.

He said: "We got what we deserved because we tried to attack all the time. I am very happy because it was a difficult game.

"To be top of the league is very important. We have good confidence in our play and a very good atmosphere in the dressing room. "

Pulis could be without striker James Beattie and goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen for a spell after first half injuries.

Beattie appeared to suffer a recurrence of a knee problem when he scuffed a shot wide in the ninth minute when clear on goal.

Then Sorensen limped off with after apparently pulling a muscle. Both will be assessed tomorrow.

Pulis added "The result is hard to take as we battled really hard and defended well.

"They had a lot of possession second half and got a lot of bodies forward. But we have given them a game and made them work for their victory."