Didier Drogba claimed his strike partnership with Nicolas Anelka is starting to blossom after Chelsea maintained their 100 per cent start to the season with a 2-0 victory over Fulham. Drogba and Anelka scored a goal each and delivered the final pass to each other as the Blues moved back to second in the Barclays Premier League. Former Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari felt the two could not play together, but Drogba insisted they are starting to combine to good effect.

"There's no doubt that Nicolas and I can work together," Drogba said. "We are intelligent people so we know how to play together. We just needed some time and it's taking effect now.

Drogba added: "This is the perfect start to the season, especially as we still have a lot of improve on. It's good to start with three wins and we'll try to improve more."

There's no doubt that Nicolas and I can work together.
Didier Drogba on his strike partnership with Nicolas Anelka

There was a suggestion of offside about Drogba's first half-opener, but the Ivory Coast marksman insisted his run was timed to perfection.

"I didn't think I'd be flagged for offside because I waited until the last moment," he said. "I knew where [Anelka] was going to put the ball, so I made the right run at the right time."

Best summer signing
Captain John Terry compared Drogba to a new signing and took a swipe at Chelsea's top-four rivals Manchester United and Liverpool, who have both lost players this summer.

"I stayed because I love the club and have been here for 14 years. The important thing for me was that people like Didier also stayed," said Terry. "He's proved to be our best signing this summer. He's so hard to play against.

"I'm delighted [that he] and others have stayed and we've kept our squad together, unlike the other two."

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti, who confirmed he rested Michael Essien for today's match, gave his full approval to the Drogba-Anelka partnership.

"They can play together because they have good but different qualities. Anelka is very quick while Didier is stronger," he said. "They played very well today. They scored one and created the other.

"In the first half Nicolas played near the wing, but I prefer when they stay close together." Ancelotti added: "We have started the season very well because we have won all of our matches. The team is starting to have trust and there is good motivation."