Chelsea 1-0 Portsmouth

Chelsea moved to the top of the Premier League table as Frank Lampard's strike clinched a hard-fought 1-0 win over Portsmouth.

Lampard's goal, which David James could have dealt better with, was all that separated the sides, but Harry Redknapp's visitors will feel they should have gained a point from their visit to Stamford Bridge.

New signing Juliano Belletti began his Chelsea career on the substitutes' bench, while Portsmouth welcomed defensive pair Sol Campbell and Lauren back to the side.

The home side came out of the blocks quickly, and within 40 seconds Claudio Pizarro fired a shot wide with an effort from outside the penalty area.

Portsmouth's first effort of note came on nine minutes, through Nwankwo Kanu, but it was Chelsea who continued to dominate the opening stages.

French winger Florent Malouda hit a shot into the side netting on 11 minutes, following a pass from Pizarro.

And the pair combined again two minutes later, this time Peruvian forward Pizarro headed over the crossbar from Malouda's dangerous inswinging free kick.

Jose Mourinho took the decision to play Michael Essien in a right full-back role and he impressed with his atacking play down the flank. But it was an impressive block which denied Kanu a certain goal on 20 minutes that will have pleased his manager most.

Portsmouth had lost their previous eight Premier League meetings against Chelsea, but they almost took the lead on 23 minutes.

Midfielder Matt Taylor attempted to curl an effort into the far corner of Petr Cech's net and only a deflection off Tal Ben Haim denied him an opener.

Chelsea were struggling to play any flowing football, but on 31 minutes a brilliant piece of play from Didier Drogba allowed them to open the scoring.

He controlled a long kick from Cech on his chest and then played a delightful backheel into the path of Lampard.

James is being talked up as a replacement for England keeper Paul Robinson, but he will be bitterly disappointed after Lampard's fierce drive spun beneath his left hand and into the net.

After half-time Chelsea started brightly once again, and Shaun Wright-Phillips should have done better, as he hit an effort wide of goal from just inside the area.

But Portsmouth gradually swung the momentum their way and on 51 minutes Sean Davis was presented with their best opportunity of the game.

Following brilliant hold up play by Kanu on the edge of the six-yard box, Davis' drive flew over the goal.

Chelsea almost presented the visitors an equaliser just before the hour mark. Lampard's attempt to play a corner to Essien did not pay off, Portsmouth burst towards the other end of the pitch, and O'Neil fired a shot inches wide.

Belletti was introduced for his debut in place of Jon Obi Mikel on 64 minutes, allowing Essien to move ainto a more familiar midfield role.

It was Malouda who came close to doubling Chelsea's lead though, with a strike which narrowly cleared the top right corner of James's goal.

Portsmouth substitute Benjani then failed to hit the target from a tight angle after poor play by Belletti.

The away side pressed on in search of a late leveller, and came so close three minutes from time.

After a Sulley Muntari corner, David Nugent had an effort blocked, and Ashley Cole then made a headed clearance off the line from Hermann Hreidarsson to ensure Chelsea took away all three points.