Nicolas Anelka proved there can be life without Didier Drogba in the Champions League - but Chelsea were made to battle to a 1-0 victory against Porto at Stamford Bridge.

Drogba is banned for the first three Group D matches following his outburst in the aftermath of last season's semi-final defeat to Barcelona and in his absence Carlo Ancelotti's men did not look as threatening.

The Portuguese giants, who had Fernando dismissed, were scenting an upset but Anelka struck just after the break to maintain Chelsea's 100% start to the campaign.

The goal came three minutes after the restart. Salomon Kalou was fed the ball and before it went out of his reach he slid to poke through for Anelka. The France striker's first effort was saved by Helton but he curled the rebound in at the near post.

Florent Malouda was close to doubling the lead but sent a header into the side netting from Ashley Cole's cross, while Kalou had a header parried from Branislav Ivanovic's centre that found him unmarked.

Fernando was dismissed when he fouled Ashley Cole in stoppage-time to receive his second yellow card of the match.