Chelsea sealed their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League with a comfortable 2-0 win over Anderlecht.

First half goals from Hernan Crespo and Ricardo Carvalho were enough to give Jose Mourinho's men all three points and inflict another defeat on struggling Anderlecht.

The result along with Liverpool's draw with Real Betis means Chelsea and Liverpool qualify for the last 16 and that the final group game between the two English sides will decide who finishes top of the standings.

Anderlecht could have broken the deadlock in their first attack of the game on seven minutes when Christian Wilhelmsson broke free down the right and crossed dangerously for Mbo Mpenza only for the Belgian striker to screw his shot wide of the target.

Seconds later played switched to the other end of the field and Chelsea made the breakthrough Crespo.

Frank Lampard robbed Anthony Vanden Borre of possession down the right and sent over a perfect cross for Crespo to volley home.

Chelsea doubled their lead on 15 minutes when Crespo flicked Lampard's corner right across the face of goal and Carvalho expertedly volleyed the ball high into the net past Silvio Proto.

The Premiership champions were now in firm control with Anderlecht offering very little in the final third of the pitch.

Crespo volleyed over the crossbar on 34 minutes after a mis-placed header from Vincent Kompany fell invitingly into his path.

Joe Cole almost added to Chelsea's lead on 38 minutes when the ball broke to him inside the box, but his attempted lob lacked the power to beat Proto.

Chelsea continued to dominate proceedings in the second half and Carvalho almost found himself clear on goal on 50 minutes when he burst forward from the back, but Olivier Deschacht got back to clear the danger for a corner.

From the resulting corner Lampard worked a short one with Duff and the Republic of Ireland fired in a snap shot which Proto did well to push out.

Anderlecht substitute Oleg Lachtchouk made space for himself on 54 minutes for a shot from the edge of the area, but his shot flew well wide of Petr Cech's goal.

The home battled valiantly for a goal and Akin Serhat forced Cech into a save on 66 minutes after some neat work involving Wilhelmsson.

Chelsea were happy to go through the motions as Anderlecht struggled to make any inroads in their defence.

The visitors were inches away from netting a third five minutes from time when Lampard saw his left-footed shot from the edge of the box touched onto the post by Proto.

Chelsea created another opening a minute later when substitute Geremi picked out Crespo with a fine cross, but Argentine ace volleyed his effort wide of the target.