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* Anelka double shows Frenchman’s value to Chelsea

* Takes his tally to seven in this season’s competition

* Victory lifts some of the pressure off Ancelotti (Writes through, adding details, quotes)

By Philip O’Connor

COPENHAGEN, Feb 22 (Reuters) - If Chelsea are to salvage their season by winning the Champions League, Nicolas Anelka showed with both goals in a 2-0 victory at FC Copenhagen on Tuesday that he could prove to be the unexpected trump card.

The Frenchman, expected to slip down the pecking order when Fernando Torres arrived in a blaze of 50 million pounds ($80.95 million) hype on deadline day, took his total in this season’s competition to seven goals in an assured last 16, first leg win.

Didier Drogba was meanwhile left on the bench and, with Torres still searching for the sharpness that has eluded him all season at Liverpool and Chelsea, Anelka produced the goods to smooth a path towards the quarter-finals.

A comfortable victory over a Copenhagen side appearing rusty from their mid-winter break has lifted some of the pressure that was beginning to mount on Carlo Ancelotti after a Premier League slump that has seen them go from top to fifth.

So impressive was Anelka in sub-zero temperatures in the Danish capital that the question over whether Torres and Drogba can strike a partnership was rendered redundant.

Since arriving at Chelsea from Bolton Wanderers three years ago, Anelka has shed his sulky image and provided excellent value for the 15 million pounds outlay.

In his first full season he scored 25 goals in all competitions followed by 15 last term to help secure the league and FA Cup double.

His brace in Copenhagen took him to 16 for this campaign and briefly deflected the focus from Torres who showed only glimpses of his best from before being substituted late on.

BEST STRIKERS

Asked about his team selection, Ancelotti said Chelsea had “the best strikers in Europe” and Drogba was tired after playing in their bruising FA Cup fourth round replay defeat by Everton on penalties on Saturday.

“They are fantastic strikers. Didier played two hours against Everton, Torres and Anelka were fresh,” Ancelotti told reporters, dismissing suggestions Ivory Coast striker Drogba had not taken the decision well. “He (Drogba) was good, no problem. He focused with the other players on the game.”

A potentially tricky tie versus a side that gave as good as they got against Barcelona in the Parken Stadium during the group phase was ultimately made comfortable after Anelka seized on former Chelsea winger Jesper Gronkjaer’s mistake to fire his side ahead in the 17th minute.

Anelka made it 2-0 after 54 minutes with an almost replica finish after being played in by Frank Lampard and despite a few flurries by Copenhagen they were able to coast home.

“We lost to a better team, they were stronger than us and we made too many technical errors,” Copenhagen coach Stale Solbakken told reporters.

A good night for Chelsea got better as news of Tottenham Hotspur’s Premier League defeat at Blackpool filtered through — a result that leaves Ancelotti’s team two points shy of the Champions League places for next season with a game in hand.

Europe’s blue riband competition is a prerequisite for Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich who opened his wallet again in January to sign Torres and defender David Luiz for a total of about 70 million pounds.

But the sinle-minded Anelka, a relative bargain at just 15 million pounds, proved on Tuesday that he has no intention of being cast into the Stamford Bridge shadows just yet.

(Editing by Martyn Herman)

To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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{ ABOVE: Paul Collingwood is running into form hitting 65 and taking three wickets in win over Pakistan GRAEME SWANN has his sights set on World Cup glory but admits: I wouldn?t swap it for the Ashes.

England?s world-class spinner has recovered from a back complaint and travels to India today after missing the warm-up games. The Nottinghamshire ace, who became a dad for the first time on Thursday, was a key figure in England?s 3-1 Ashes triumph and last year?s World Twenty20 win. And while he would love to add the 50-over World Cup to his bulging trophy cabinet, Swann knows where the tournament fits in his pecking order. ?The World Cup is important because it?s a global event,? he said. ?It?s the ultimate one-day competition, the biggest 50-over event we play. ?But from my perspective as an England player it?s nowhere near as big as the Ashes.? Swann is one of several England stars whose bodies struggled to cope with the demands of the 100 day long tour Down Under. Bowlers Tim Bresnan (calf), Ajmal Shahzad (hamstring) and Stuart Broad (side) have all faced a race to be fit for the World Cup after picking up niggles in Oz. Star batsman Eoin Morgan was last week ruled out with a damaged thumb, although the injury is not as bad as first feared, and Swann reckons his will be the hardest boots to fill. ?If Eoin Morgan hadn?t been ruled out of the World Cup, he would have been recognised as the best one-day player on the planet,? Swann said. With Morgan gone, England?s batting hopes lie even more heavily on Kevin Pietersen?s broad shoulders. Big hitter KP (right) has been shifted up the order to open alongside skipper Andrew Strauss, following the failed experiment with Matt Prior. While to some the move smacks of desperation, former England bowler Matthew Hoggard believes it could pay off. ?KP has always said that he can?t just go out and slog, he actually needs to build an innings,? Hoggard said. ?You could say it?s a lack of foresight, but it could be a little bit of genius. ?Nobody?s going to think of KP opening the batting. ?Teams are going to have to think on their feet. ?I?m sure the plan hasn?t just come out of nowhere. ?If it comes off they?re going to look absolutely fantastic. ?But if it doesn?t, questions will be asked.? While England?s 6-1 one-day series defeat in Oz hit their confidence hard, the return of players of Swann and Broad?s calibre can only boost their chances. Broad has made an immediate impact on his return, with 10 wickets in two warm-up games against Canada and Pakistan. He produced another electric burst yesterday to finish with 5-25 as England beat Pakistan by 67 runs. Pietersen struck 66 and Paul Collingwood 65 as England clocked up 273 and bowled out Pakistan for 206. Hosts India face Bangladesh in Dhaka today in the opening clash of the tournament before England kick-off against Holland on Tuesday. Despite the chaotic nature of their build-up, Broad insists England can still deliver. ?It?s very special to be involved in such big matches and tournaments,? he said. ?With a team like we have and the belief we have in our team we stand a decent chance.?

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Argentina coach Sergio Batista declared that he was pleased with his side's 2-1 victory over  Portugal tonight in Geneva, and singled out match-winner Lionel Messi and debutant Marcos Rojo for special praise.

A last minute penalty from Messi won the encounter for the Albiceleste, after a goal from Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo had canceled out Angel di Maria's opener.

Speaking in a post-match press conference, 'Checho' praised his men for triumphing in a tough fixture, against a Portugal side that battled for the entire 90 minutes.

"We are still lacking a little bit of depth, but in general the team is looking good," Batista began, before praising the attitude of his squad and promising that "things still need to be corrected."

The coach moved on to talk about 'La Pulga', who scored one and set one up in the game, and asserted that he would place him ahead of 'CR7'.

"I enjoy watching the two, but for me it seemed that today Lionel was a step above."

Batista finished by praising new boy Rojo.

"I liked how he handled himself tonight, it is never easy marking a player like Nani."

The hero of the hour Messi also commented on the game, and remarked that he had a good feeling about how he and the national team were progressing.

"I felt great. We played a great game. We tried our best on a terrible pitch," the playmaker told reporters in the mixed zone.

"We know exactly what our tactics and game-plan are. We have won our last few matches and we have to continue in the same fashion."

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