Chelsea wins 2-1 to secure top spot in Group F

LONDON (AP)—Second-half goals by Daniel Sturridge and Florent Malouda earned Chelsea a 2-1 win over Zilina that secured top spot in Group F of the Champions League but the English champions were given a scare by the unfancied Slovakian side.

Zilina, coming off a tournament-record 7-0 home defeat by Marseille last time out, stunned the home crowd by taking the lead in the 19th minute through Babatounde Bello.

The halftime introduction of Salomon Kalou sparked a young, largely second-string Chelsea team into life and the Ivory Coast forward set up Sturridge’s tap-in in the 51st.

Malouda then stretched to guide in Didier Drogba’s nod-down to complete the hosts’ recovery.

Chelsea is six points clear of second-place Marseille ahead of its final game against the French side, which has also qualified.