CHELSEA WINS IN WORLD CUP PLAY-OFFS

Nicolas Anelka's goal placed France in a healthy position to make the World Cup Finals after Saturday's play-off first leg.

The Chelsea striker's 72nd minute shot from just outside the area deflected in off Republic of Ireland defender Sean St. Ledger and the post for a 1-0 win in Dublin.

Florent Malouda was introduced as a substitute in the stoppage time and France take their advantage to Paris for Wednesday's second leg.

Ricardo Carvalho, Paulo Ferreira and Deco were all in the starting line-up for Portugal as they beat Bosnia-Herzegovina by the same scoreline, this time at home. Hilario, on his first call-up to the national squad, didn't make the bench. Ferreira, often a left-back for his nation, was selected on his preferred right side.

After 31 minutes defender Bruno Alves scored the goal for the Portuguese, who were without Cristiano Ronaldo. Bosnia-Herzegovina hit woodwork twice in the 89th minute. Deco came off on 86 minutes with pain in a groin muscle.

There was a pleasing sight from a Chelsea point of view in the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow where Yury Zhirkov (pictured below left) completed the full 90 minutes of Russia's 2-1 win over Slovenia.

Playing his first football in three weeks at left-back, Zhirkov deflected wide an early shot by the visitors and then dribbled from his own-half into the opposition area but had a shot saved.

Two later crosses were not converted by Arsenal's Andrey Arshavin and Tottenham's Roman Pavlyuchenko.

Both of Russia's goals were netted by Everton's Diniyar Bilyaletdinov but an 88th minute away goal for Slovenia leaves Guus Hiddink's side with plenty to do on Wednesday.

In friendly internationals, John Terry's ankle injury prevented his participation against Brazil in Qatar so there was the rare sight of no Chelsea players in the England side as they lost 1-0.

Branislav Ivanovic remained on the bench for Serbia as they beat Northern Ireland 1-0 in Belfast.

At Wembley, England Under 21s beat Portugal by a single goal. Michael Mancienne played right-back for the first 76 minutes and it was his long ball into the area that was headed down by Newcastle's Andy Carroll for Spurs striker Danny Rose to score.

Jack Cork was introduced to the midfield on 76 minutes and had an attempt on goal. Ryan Bertrand played the whole game at left-back. Daniel Sturridge remained on the bench.