Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham

Jan 13 2008 Steve Burnett Reports

Chelsea 2 Tottenham 0

CHELSEA coach Avram Grant heaped praise on new £15million hitman Nicolas Anelka - after he made a surprise debut yesterday.

The gaffer was forced to throw on the new boy following an injury to Claudio Pizarro.

Goals from Juliano Belletti and Shaun Wright-Phillips ensured Grant's side kept pace with the leaders. But the biggest cheer was for Anelka who came on as a 58th-minute sub.

And he almost rewarded his fans in the final minute - but smashed a searing shot against the bar.

Grant said: "Anelka has not even had one training session with us. He quickly got into the style of the team and hit the bar and forced the keeper into a good save.

"You cannot ask any more from his first performance. But we didn't plan to use him."

Spurs haven't won at Stamford Bridge since 1990 and were under sustained pressure almost throughout. Chelsea hemmed in their London rivals who rarely threatened the home goal.

The opener arrived in 19 minutes - and it was a stunner from Belletti. He strode forward unchallenged from his own half before lashing past Radek Cerny from 30 yards.

Michael Ballack had an effort chalked off for offside late in the first half.

Joe Cole went close early in the second period then Anelka lifted the crowd after his arrival with a half-volley that Cerny saved superbly.

But Chelsea secured their 74-game unbeaten home run in the league when Cole's pass set up Wright-Phillips with 10 minutes left.

Spurs boss Juande Ramos claimed the result flattered Chelsea, saying: "It was an evenly balanced game but that has not been reflected."